Renowned filmmaker Priyadarshan has publicly expressed his shock and deep emotional distress following recent allegations made by actor Arshad Warsi regarding their 2004 collaborative hit film, 'Hulchul'. The director, known for his iconic comedies, stated he was profoundly hurt by Warsi's claims of being misled about the significance of his role in the ensemble comedy.
The Director's Emotional Reaction
In a candid conversation with Mid-Day, Priyadarshan revealed his initial reaction upon reading Arshad Warsi's statements. "I was very upset. I could be wrong and maybe it has been misinterpreted, but if he has (said it), I am shocked," the director confessed. He emphasized that Warsi's character, Lucky Bhalla, was immensely popular with audiences, a fact he believes the actor himself acknowledged in a post-release phone call.
Priyadarshan recalled, "After the release, he called and told me, 'Priyan sir, I never thought that I would get this kind of appreciation.'" What particularly pained the director was Warsi's subsequent labeling of 'Hulchul' as a flop film, contradicting its commercial success. "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," he questioned.
The filmmaker concluded his thoughts by stating, "People loved and appreciated his performance in Hulchul. I am very upset and deeply hurt by these accusations from Arshad. He had no reason to complain."
Arshad Warsi's Side of the Story
Arshad Warsi's grievances, shared during an interview with The Lallantop last month, stem from the initial pitch he received. Fresh from the massive success of his breakout role as Circuit in 'Munna Bhai MBBS' (2003), Warsi was approached by writer Neeraj Vora for 'Hulchul'.
Warsi claimed Vora presented the role as a parallel lead, directly comparing it to Akshay Kumar's iconic character Raju in Priyadarshan's own 'Hera Pheri' (2000). "Neeraj told me that my role in the film would be similar to what Akshay Kumar played in Hera Pheri. He told me it was one of the leads," Warsi recounted, explaining his decision to accept the part based on this assurance.
However, the actor alleged he only discovered the true nature of his role—that of the hero's sidekick—upon arriving on set. He clarified that he does not blame Priyadarshan, suggesting the director might also have been unaware of Vora's specific promises. "He just knew that there is this guy who is doing this character," Warsi said.
Warsi also shared an anecdote about the film's costume, mentioning he was given an ill-fitting, oversized shirt by an assistant director, which led him to wear his own clothes for a majority of the shoot. "It was a mess but since it was a commitment, I finished the film," he added, describing the overall experience as a "bad experience".
Broader Context and Film's Legacy
This controversy brings to light similar experiences from other actors. Notably, actor Sharad Kelkar previously revealed on the Cyrus Says podcast that he too felt duped into accepting a role in 'Hulchul'.
Despite the behind-the-scenes discord, 'Hulchul' remains a notable commercial success in Priyadarshan's filmography. A remake of the 1991 Malayalam film 'Godfather' by Siddique-Lal, it featured a massive star cast including Kareena Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Jackie Shroff, and the late Amrish Puri and Asrani.
Produced on a budget of approximately Rs 10 crore, the comedy went on to earn a substantial Rs 32 crore at the box office, solidifying its status as a hit. The current dispute highlights the occasional disconnect between actor expectations, intermediary promises, and directorial vision in large-scale Bollywood productions, with the echoes of a nearly two-decade-old film resurfacing in today's media landscape.
