Filmmaker Priyadarshan, who is set to return with Bhooth Bangla, has weighed in on the changing work culture in Hindi cinema, pointing to a stark difference between the past and the present.
In an exclusive interaction with Mamaraazzi, Priyadarshan reflected on his experience working with actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Tabu and Suniel Shetty, describing earlier film sets as “simpler” and more efficient.
“Actors would stay on set. They were available, involved, and there was a certain ease in the way work happened,” he said.
Contrasting that with the present, the director noted that many younger actors now travel with sizeable personal teams. “Today, if there are four actors in a frame, there are almost 50 to 60 people standing around,” he added, referring to entourages that typically include managers, assistants and stylists.
According to Priyadarshan, this shift has altered the dynamics of filmmaking. What was once a relatively contained and collaborative space has, over time, become more crowded and layered, often affecting the pace and flow of a shoot.
His remarks echo a broader sentiment within the industry, where several filmmakers have pointed to the growing scale of productions and the increasing presence of support staff around actors. While the expansion reflects the industry’s evolution, it has also introduced logistical complexities that were less pronounced earlier.
Priyadarshan, who has previously spoken about the discipline and punctuality of actors like Akshay Kumar, suggested that earlier working methods allowed for quicker and more streamlined execution.
With Bhooth Bangla, which marks his reunion with Akshay Kumar, the filmmaker returns to a familiar creative space, even as the industry around him continues to evolve.
