A beloved comedy from the 2000s is at the centre of a surprising new controversy. Director Priyadarshan has publicly responded to actor Arshad Warsi's recent remarks about having a disappointing experience while filming 'Hulchul' in 2004. The director admitted he was both upset and taken aback by the actor's statements.
The 'Hulchul' Role That Fans Still Love
Audiences vividly remember Arshad Warsi's hilarious turn as Lucky Bhalla in the film. One iconic slapstick sequence, in particular, remains a fan favourite. In it, Lucky, along with Akshaye Khanna, sneaks into Kareena Kapoor Khan's house, only to end up hanging from a tree and tumbling into a vat of boiling glue and dry leaves. This moment became a highlight of Priyadarshan's ensemble comedy, which developed a strong cult following over the years.
Arshad Warsi's Disappointing Revelation
In a recent chat with Lallantop, Arshad Warsi revealed that his time on the 'Hulchul' set was not a pleasant chapter in his career. The actor suggested that the role initially offered to him was portrayed as much more substantial, comparable to Akshay Kumar's iconic character in 'Hera Pheri'. Warsi hinted he felt misled, as his part was eventually reduced to that of the protagonist's friend. He even recalled confusion over his styling, joking about being given an oddly oversized shirt.
Priyadarshan's Emotional Counter
Currently busy with the post-production of 'Haiwaan', starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, Priyadarshan has now addressed the comments. The director stated he was "very upset" and "shocked" by Warsi's perspective. He pointed out that Warsi's comic performance was widely praised when the film released.
Priyadarshan recalled a post-release phone call from the actor: "After the release, he called and told me, 'Priyan sir, I never thought that I would get this kind of appreciation.'" This memory made Warsi's current claim that 'Hulchul' was a flop particularly painful for the director. "Hulchul was a big hit, but Arshad said it was a flop film. That has pained me; why would he say that when it was one of my hit films?" Priyadarshan questioned.
A Film That Cemented a Comic Image
The director emphasised that while 'Munna Bhai MBBS' (2003) was a career turning point, 'Hulchul' played a crucial role in solidifying Arshad Warsi's reputation as a skilled comic actor. The film, featuring a star-studded cast including Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arbaaz Khan, and Shakti Kapoor, continues to enjoy popularity. Priyadarshan reiterated that he found the allegations unnecessary and was genuinely hurt by them.
Backing his claim of the film's success, 'Hulchul' reportedly collected around Rs 31 crore at the box office, a strong figure for its time, which the director cites as proof it was far from a failure.
