Priyadarshan: “Kalyani and I don’t Discuss Cinema over Dinner” (EXCLUSIVE)

Filmmaker Priyadarshan’s daughter Kalyani starred in the Malayalam blockbuster “Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra,” which also won rave reviews. The "Bhoot Bangla" director has also mentored Aditya Dhar, director of “Dhurandhar” and “Uri,” who earlier penned dialogues for Priyadarshan’s films “Tezz” and “Aakrosh.”

In an exclusive interview with Variety India, Priyadarshan reveals how 2025 turned out to be a proud year for him as both a father and a mentor. His daughter Kalyani and protégé Aditya Dhar delivered two of the biggest grossers in Malayalam and Bollywood respectively, with “Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra” and “Dhurandhar.”

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Sharing his happiness about the success of both films, the filmmaker says, “Definitely, you wish for these moments to feel proud. I felt proud of Amu (my daughter Kalyani). I equally felt proud of my disciple Aditya (Dhar). When your child and disciple do well in life, that’s the ultimate happiness and the best feeling one can ever have.”

The “Hera Pheri” director also revealed that he and Kalyani rarely discuss cinema. “She never asks me what I am doing and I never interfere in her work. Many producers come and ask me about her, but I remain firm that she must decide what she wants to do. I don’t get into that. We both have different tastes in cinema, but there is something common between my daughter and me, which is the other things in life. That’s where we connect. So we never discuss films over dinner. We never talk about cinema because there are so many other interesting things to talk about,” he explains.

Professionally, Priyadarshan is gearing up for the release of “Bhooth Bangla,” which marks his reunion with Akshay Kumar after films such as “Hera Pheri,” “Garam Masala,” “Bhagam Bhag,” “Bhool Bhulaiyaa,” “De Dana Dan,” and “Khatta Meetha.”

The film also stars Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Tabu and Wamiqa Gabbi in prominent roles. The horror comedy is set to release in theaters on April 10.