South Indian filmmaker Priyadarshan who won a National Award for his social drama ’Kanjivaram’, says that jealousy led people in Bollywood to stereotype him as a director of comedies and remakes.
The director, known for his superhit comedies like ‘Hera Pheri’ and ’Malamaal Weekly’ said that despite the unrequited tag he has no plans to wash his hands off commercial comedies.
“The whole problem is that, unfortunately I have been successful. In the history of Indian cinema I am the only South Indian director who has survived for 12 years and 25 films in Bollywood. It is jealousy that leads people to tarnish you,” Priyadarshan said.
The filmmaker who claims to be the “only successful South Indian director” in the industry said that he finds commercial cinema a tougher genre than off-beat ones.
“Just because I won the National Award, does not mean I plan to become the next Shyam Benegal or Adoor. Realistic non-commercial films offer you a lot more liberty as a director than a usual film.
“On the other hand while making a commercial film you are constantly thinking, will the mass audience like this, will they accept this. It is a lot more difficult to make a typical Bollywood film than a realistic film,” says Priyadarshan who was in the capital for the Delhi International Arts festival.
