Why Priyadarshan doesn't consider 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' a horror comedy
Mumbai, July 21
Ace filmmaker Priyadarshan once reflected on why 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' can not be called a horror comedy.
In an exclusive interview with IANS during promotions of his film 'Bhoot Bangla' he was asked "You all have been pioneers of horror comedy in India, and now, it has become a hit genre. So, how do you feel when you hear such comments?"
Reacting to this, Priyadarshan shared, "We just started it. Then the people, I mean others, took over. We just started with 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa'.
The filmmaker further pointed out that he considers 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' not to be a horror film, but a psychological thriller.
Shedding further light on the genre, Priyadarshan went on to explain, "So, but it's a very, very nice psychology, I'll tell you something. In a tense film, a little bit of small humour also works in a big way because they are a little tense in the theatre. So, a small sequence of humour will work. But in an out-and-out comedy, you have to really work hard on humour. The most difficult thing. This is something everybody has to accept. I have suffered a lot making comedy films on this. And when I watch my own films, which have become huge hits, when I see them again, I don't feel like laughing. Then finally I think, 'you know, it's gone.' But in the theatre, I see the response. Because ten times you can't see the same scene. But there are people watching it twenty times, thirty times. This is the most difficult thing."
The 'Hera Pheri' maker further went on to admit that every time he tries humour and horror, he ends up getting a shiver.
"I mean, it's very, very difficult, I can say that", Priyadarshan concluded.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I completely understand what he means. Bhool Bhulaiyaa's appeal was the mystery, not just the horror. The iconic "Mere Dholna" song still gives me chills, and it's pure emotion, not horror. Brilliant filmmaker!
Interesting perspective. As someone who grew up on both Hollywood and Bollywood horror, I think Bhool Bhulaiyaa cleverly subverts expectations. The humor is a tension release, not the main event. Priyadarshan knows his craft deeply.
I appreciate him being honest about comedy being harder. It's true – horror can rely on sudden scares, but comedy needs real skill to land. That said, I wish he'd experiment more with pure horror like the south Indian directors do. 😊
As a film student, this is gold. The line "ten times you can't see the same scene" is so insightful – comedy is about surprise, and that's hardest to sustain. Priyadarshan's humility about his own work is rare. 🎬
Strongly disagree that Bhool Bhulaiyaa is not horror comedy. Watch it again – the climax with the mask reveal is pure horror. Maybe he's being too technical. But I respect his dedication to the craft. Bollywood needs more thinkers like him.
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