Priyadarshan is a Bollywood director and producer who has had a long-standing career, which has no signs of slowing down. Eighty-six films later, this filmmaker is reflecting on his experiences as he continues to push forward. With the films Tezz, Aakrosh, Khatta Meeta, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa in his recent repitoire Priyadarshan is over critics and doing what he wants.

The filmmaker says, "After 86 films, who cares about critics? If I want the critics to like my film, I make films like Kanchivaram (Tamil film), which got me the National Award. That film is for critics, this is not for critics. Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal is for people to enjoy. After 86 films in different languages, you do what you think is right. Some films flop, some succeed. (But) if you flop continuously, you are out."

He adds, "I've made serious films like Kala Pani (1996), Virasat (1997) and Billu (2009) too. Kanchivaram (2008) won the National Award for Best Film and Best Actor (Prakash Raj). But after Aakrosh (2010) and Tezz, I decided to do slapstick comedy and give people what they expect from Priyadarshan. Some films you make for the masses, hoping that they'll make money for the producers. Some, like Kanchivaram, you make for yourself."

"With that in the past, Priyadarshan talks about his forthcoming Nana Patekar starrer. "I don't want it to be different. I want it to look like my earlier comedies, which people have enjoyed. There is more suspense than humor in this film. The film shows a stranger coming to town and there is suspicion about who he is."

Priyadarshan also reveals that he has Akshay Kumar in mind for a new project, "I have a couple of remakes in mind, and also this film on AIDS. We have an excellent record, so we have to figure out what will live up to people's expectations," he says. But will a commercial star be accepted in such a serious film? "When I did Hera Pheri (2000), no one thought action stars like Akshay and Suniel (Shetty) could pull off a comedy. I know Akshay well, he can pull off anything."

Eighty-six films is no simple feat, Priyadarshan deserves the recognition and as in any profession there are ups and downs, we will wait for Priyadarshan to hit his next peak.

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