"The film on HIV-AIDS would be shot mostly in Mumbai
and it will be ready for release next year. I have a lot
of hopes from this film because this issue has to be seriously
looked into by the authorities," said Priyadarshan.
In a hugely successful career spanning close to three decades,
the filmmaker churned out 85 films in Malayalam, Hindi,
Tamil and Telugu. He said when he entered the hugely polarised
Bollywood, many did not like the idea of remakes.
"Look at what is happening there now. I wish to know
what is wrong in doing a remake. My first Malayalam film
('Arabiyum Ottakavum P. Madhavan Nairum') in nine years
will hit the screens next month and mind you Ajay Devgn
has already given me the green signal that he would like
a Hindi remake of the movie," said Priyadarshan.
Incidentally, the dream team of Priyadarshan and superstar
Mohanlal that immortalised the Malayalam film industry with
blockbusters like "Boeing Boeing", "Chithram",
"Vandanam", "Kilukkam" and "Thalavattam"
just completed their latest Malayalam comedy "Arabiyum
Ottakavum P. Madhavan Nairum", which will be released
in October.
Is he worried about the response to their new film?
"Yes, I am a bit tense about what sort of response
my new Malayalam film will get because expectations are
huge when I team up with Mohanlal. It is a film where one
can expect to keep on laughing from start to finish,"
said Priyadarshan.
And on his next Bollywood film, "Tezz", slated
for a Jan 26 release, he said it is going to be his first
major thriller.
"I have huge expectations from the film because no
compromises of any sort has been made and it has been one
film where the investment in 'efforts' is also huge,"
said the versatile film maker.
While talking about the film on the girl child which will
go on the floors next year, he turned emotional.
"For many years, this has been held close to my heart
simply because of the topic. I have been speaking to top
experts in this area for some time now and this has evoked
passion and excitement in myself, which I feel is needed
for the film," said Priyadarshan.
He said his next Malayalam film is going to be a remake
of a yesteryear Malayalam classic.
"Please don't ask me which film it is going to be
because courtesy demands that I will first have to speak
to the people behind that film," said Priyadarshan.