Mumbai, India - Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan have been working together for over two decades, with their latest collaboration, 'Bhoot Bangla', set to release on April 10. The duo has been in perfect sync, with no disagreements in their long-standing partnership.
Their first film together was the 2000 cult comedy 'Hera Pheri', which transformed Akshay's image from an action star to a hero who can also bring in the laughs. Since then, they have worked together on several successful films, including 'Garam Masala', 'Bhaagam Bhaag', 'Bhool Bhulaiyya', 'De Dana Dan', and 'Khatta Meetha'.
Priyadarshan believes that their partnership has been successful because Akshay is a versatile actor who can adapt to different roles. 'When there is potential in an actor, if you really know how to exploit it, it will work,' he said.
Akshay credits Priyadarshan with teaching him situational comedy and the importance of an editor in film-making. 'He taught me situational comedy. I also learnt about the importance of an editor and what the conviction of a director means,' he said.
Their next venture, 'Bhoot Bangla', is a horror-comedy that explores the theme of folklore, superstitions, and black magic. Priyadarshan believes that their difference in perspectives is what makes the film work. 'The newness is people identifying so many things, which is happening in this country, like folklore, superstitions, black magic, so all these things are there. We are exploiting the weakness and putting a lot of logic into it and trying to make a fantasy,' he said.
