'Bhooth Bangla' director Priyadarshan reveals why he picks Akshay Kumar over Shah Rukh Khan
With Bhooth Bangla generating buzz, filmmaker Priyadarshan has candidly opened up about why he often chooses Akshay Kumar over Shah Rukh Khan and his reasoning is all about relatability.
Known for delivering several successful collaborations with Akshay, Priyadarshan believes the actor brings something rare to the screen: the ability to truly look and feel like the “common man.”
“The plus point of Akshay is that he can look like a common man. His body language, the way he walks… I really thought that he looks like a road contractor who is struggling,” the director shared.
For Priyadarshan, this isn’t just about appearance it’s about lived experience translating into performance.
“Akshay can definitely look and has the body language of a common man. And he lived as an ordinary man, so he understands the nuances of an ordinary man,” he added.
On the other hand, when it comes to Shah Rukh Khan, the filmmaker pointed out a clear contrast. Recalling his time working with the superstar on Billu, Priyadarshan revealed an interesting moment from their shoot.
The filmmaker said Shah Rukh Khan’s Billu as distinctly urban. Talking about one of the incidents in the past he said, “I remember I took SRK to a very remote village, a deep village in the South. So, he asked me, ‘How did you find this place?’” While Khan remained committed to the role, Priyadarshan noted a gap in relatability. “He told me something. I can never relate to a village because I always grew up in Delhi,” the director said.
That difference, according to Priyadarshan, reflects strongly in Shah Rukh Khan’s on-screen persona.
“Shah Rukh can never act as a villager, because his body language is very polished, very urban,” he stated. While Shah Rukh Khan continues to embody charm and sophistication, Priyadarshan’s storytelling often leans toward grounded characters and that’s where Akshay Kumar fits seamlessly.
Meawhile, Bhooth Bangla starring Akshay Kumar, wamiqa gabbi, Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal yadav and others is all set for its threatical release on April 16th.
- With inputs from agencies
