By News18,Shrishti Negi

Copyright news18

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, who is currently helming Hera Pheri 3, recently reflected on the challenges of making sequels and the art of adapting South Indian films into Hindi. Known for iconic entertainers like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, the director admitted that creating follow-ups often feels more like a business move than a creative pursuit.
Why Priyadarshan Never Shows Originals To Actors
Opening up about his approach to remakes, Priyadarshan explained that he deliberately avoids showing the original film to his actors. “I never show the original film to the actor… I made this mistake a couple of times when I was remaking Malayalam films in Telugu, I showed Mohanlal’s films to actors and they tried to imitate him,” he shared with Pinkvilla. According to him, every actor has a unique body language, so instead of comparisons, he reshapes the script to suit the performer.
On Why Remakes Often Fail
The filmmaker also pointed out why many South-to-Hindi remakes struggle at the box office. “90% of remakes are flops because many South films, which are remade in Hindi, look like South films; they don’t look like Hindi films,” he said. For Priyadarshan, cultural adaptation is crucial. He recalled how Manichitrathazhu and its Hindi version Bhool Bhulaiyaa felt distinct, with the latter rooted deeply in Hindi sensibilities rather than appearing as a transplant.
The Truth About Hera Pheri
While he emphasized that he rarely copies films as they are, Priyadarshan made a candid confession: Hera Pheri was an exception. “I never copy the same film, except the one film which was made frame-to-frame, same as the original was Hera Pheri. Nobody wrote the dialogues in Hindi for that film; they are all translated.” The cult comedy was adapted from the 1989 Malayalam hit Ramji Rao Speaking, directed by Siddique–Lal.
On sequels, the director admitted they are more of a commercial exercise than a heartfelt project. “Once a film has reached its zenith, people’s expectations increase, and you will never be able to satisfy that. So, it is just a business,” he said.