Impossible to survive in Bollywood without focusing on entertainment: Priyadarshan

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, who returns to Hindi cinema after seven years with "Hungama 2", says he kept away from Bollywood as he felt there was not much scope for experimentation.

In the last seven years, Priyadarshan has directed "Geethaanjali", Oppam" and "Aamayum Muyalum" in Malayalam and Tamil films "Nimir" and "Sometimes".

Bollywood's affinity to mass entertainers can be creatively stiffling, the director said.

"I take cinema in South seriously. I don't put seriousness in Bollywood movies. Because in Bollywood, people want entertainment even if it has no meaning. One cannot survive in Bollywood without focusing on entertainment," Priyadarshan told PTI in an interview.

Citing the example of his National Award-winning 2008 film "Kanchivaram", which revolved around a poor weaver's plight, the director said, "In Hindi film industry, the maximum one can do is try and make a film like 'Badhaai Ho' or 'Andhadhun', but if I want to make something of the level of 'Kanchivaram' it is impossible. If I will make that kind a film, it will have no traction."
"Because of my personal issues, last few years were not well. Then, I made a film ('Geethaanjali') with Mohanlal. It worked and gave me some inspiration."
"I started here with movies like 'Gardish' and 'Virasat' but because of 'Hera Pheri', I got fixed into this block of comedy films. Now, I have decided that I will do my experimental cinema in South and entertainers in Bollywood. I now know how to channelise my energies in the right direction."