Mumbai: For celebrated filmmaker Priyadarshan, one cinematic aspiration has remained tantalisingly out of reach - to collaborate with Amitabh Bachchan.
In a one-on-one conversation with Pinkvilla, the 68-year-old director spoke of his lifelong admiration for the megastar, describing his wish to stage a comedy that would harness Bachchan's unparalleled command of humour.
Priyadarshan said, “See, my biggest dream, because I was a huge Amitabh Bachchan fan I had fallen while buying tickets to see films like Kasauti and all those movies and Deewar, and all these films. I don't think that I have ever been a fan of anybody more than Amitabh Bachchan in my whole life. Even today. I always wanted to make a film (with him).”
The director revealed that while conceiving "Hungama", he had initially envisioned Bachchan for the role later immortalised by Paresh Rawal. He explained, “So, once I was planning to make Hungama, I was thinking to approach Amit ji for the role of Paresh Rawal in that, he would have done magic. Of course, Paresh did well. But then he (Amitabh) fell sick, he was not well, so I was forced to take Paresh.”
The director disclosed that over the years he has repeatedly attempted to devise a narrative befitting Bachchan's stature. Priyadarshan added, “Then so many times I was trying to make a script which suits him (Amitabh). And I think I have cracked something, I'm not sure whether it will happen or not.
"Now I'm making my last attempt to go to him with the script. But at the same time, that will be the only wish I have.”
Asked if he still carried any other ambitions, Priyadarshan unhesitantly declared the only dream left in him is to make a film with Amitabh Bachchan and that he has never been a fan of anyone else in his life.
Speaking about Bachchan's extraordinary flair for comedy, the director expressed his wish to make a fun, light-hearted film, highlighting the actor's immense range and the striking precision with which he delivers humour.
Comparing him to Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, Priyadarshan observed that Mohanlal is the only other actor with such versatility, effortlessly embodying a superhero, a tough cop or a complete buffoon.
"Similarly, Amit ji has this, he has a particular sense of humour, he puts it straight face, so that is something I have never done it and I knew that he is capable of doing that. I hope that I can make a fun film with him.”
