Had approached Ayushmann, Kartik for Hungama 2', says director Priyadarshan

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan says he had initially approached big names like Ayushmann Khurrana and Kartik Aaryan for the sequel of his 2003 comedy Hungama, but none of them showed interest in the project.

The National Award-winning filmmaker, who roped in one-film-old Meezaan Jaffery to star in Hungama 2, believes popular stars must have thought he is an outdated director.

I didn't go directly to meet them but my concept was narrated to a lot of actors like Ayushmann Khurrana, Kartik Aaryan and Siddharth Malhotra. They all refused to do the film (Hungama 2'). Now, I am working with Meezaan.

They all refused because maybe they thought I am an outdated director, because I was out of the Hindi film industry for five years, Priyadarshan told PTI.

In a career spanning over three decades, Priyadarshan has directed more than 95 films in various Indian languages, including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

He is best known for his films in the south such as Kanchivaram, Kaalapani, Oppam, Thenmavin Kombath, whereas some of his most notable movies in Hindi include Virasat, "Hera Pheri", Hungama, Hulchul, Chup Chup Ke, Bhool Bhulaiyaa among others.

The director said he prefers working with actors who believe in his conviction.

They seemed disinterested. They don't tell it to you on your face. I don't like to beg to actors and (I) prefer to work with somebody who believes in me.

Many times when you request an actor to do a film, they show respect to you, offer you coffee and nicely they will avoid you, because maybe they don't trust you.

Priyadarshan said he is happy with the way Hungama 2 has shaped up so far. He said both the original and sequel have a common theme - confusion.

It is a film of total misunderstanding. The old film is about misunderstanding and confusion and same is the case with Hungama 2' but the story is different.

The 2003 original film featured Paresh Rawal, Shoma Anand, Akshaye Khanna, Aftab Shivdasani, and Rimi Sen in lead roles.

The second part features Rawal, alongside a new cast, which includes Meezaan, Shilpa Shetty and south actor Pranitha Subhash.

The director said he is happy to have collaborated with them for the film.

Priyardarshan said due to the coronavirus pandemic the shoot of the film has got affected.

We had 12 more days of shoot left. We were to shoot in Kullu-Manali, there was one song and few scenes left. Almost 80 per cent of the film is complete. We could have finished the film by now if not for coronavirus. I enjoyed doing the film, I am happy with it. I hope when people see it, they like it too.

Hungama 2, produced by Ratan Jain, is scheduled to be released in August.