Priyadarshan should stop making comedies: Ajay Devgn

MUMBAI - Versatile Priyadarshan should move away from comedies and focus on other genres, says Ajay Devgn of his “Aakrosh” director who, he feels, is one of the few filmmakers equally adept at handling issue-based serious dramas and fun films.

Priyadarshan, who has given us classic rib-ticklers like “Hera Pheri”, is actually better with intense dramas, says Ajay.

“I think Priyadarshan is better with these kinds of films. He had earlier made films like ‘Virasat’, ‘Kala Pani’ and also some southern films,” Ajay, who plays one of the main leads in “Aakrosh”, told IANS in an interview.

The actor couldn’t be more right. Priyadarshan, who is constantly moving base depending on what project he is working on, is the one director who has not only worked in different languages but also won critical acclaim for a varied range of films.

In 1988, Priyadarshan wielded the megaphone for the Malayalam films “Vellanakalude Nadu” about corruption and the land mafia with Mohanlal in the lead role as well as the action-based underworld drama “Aryan”.

In 2008, he highlighted the trials and tribulations of silk weavers with his National Award-winning Tamil film “Kanchivaram”.

“In fact, I have even told Priyadarshan that he should stop making comedy films and concentrate on such films, because I think he has a very good hold on action and drama. Even he feels that ‘Aakrosh’ is one of the best films of his career,” said Ajay.

With “Aakrosh”, the director deals with the burning issue of honour killings. Set in Jhanjhar in Bihar, the film revolves around three Delhi University students who go missing in a village. Ajay plays a CBI officer who is called on special duty to help another officer, played by Akshaye Khanna, to solve the case.

The cast also includes Bipasha Basu, Paresh Rawal and Reema Sen. Releasing Oct 15, “Aakrosh” has been produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak under the banner Big Screen Entertainer.

Ajay describes it as an action drama. “‘Aakrosh’ is basically an action film and every action film has a story. This film’s story is about honour killings and it gives it an effective and real look. Two heroes try to solve a problem. Through the film we are not giving any solution, but it is a very hard-hitting film,” said Ajay, who has had a wonderful year this year in terms of box-office collections.

The actor has had three releases this year — “Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?”, “Raajneeti” and “Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai”. All three set the cash registers ringing.

So what worked in his favour?

“I think the right choice of films and a little bit of luck did wonders and that’s why everything fell into place. I’m very happy, but I’ve not been able to enjoy the success because I have just been working with back to back releases. Still it’s a wonderful feeling,” said the 41-year-old.

When asked about his favourite genre, he said: “I don’t have a favourite genre. If I do just one genre again and again, I’ll get bored. It’s good to keep doing different kinds of roles.

“I like balancing it out because even the audience will not like it if I keep doing the same thing.”

Any plans of getting back to direction after his 2008 “U, Me Aur Hum”?

“Not any time soon, but I might get back to it end of next year,” revealed the actor, who is married to Bollywood actress Kajol. The couple has been recently blessed with son Yug. The two already have a daughter.