Priyadarshan: Bhooth Bangla is a blend of folklore, belief systems, and imagination

Priyadarshan, who is making a comeback to Hindi cinema with Bhooth Bangla after a brief hiatus, has been actively promoting his film. The horror-comedy, scheduled for April 10 release, reunites him with Akshay Kumar after 16 years. In a recent interview, Priyadarshan called the Hera Pheri actor ‘lucky’ for him, besides speaking at length about what makes Bhooth Bangla stand apart.

In an interview with Pinkvilla, the filmmaker said, “Bhooth Bangla is rooted in fantasy and folklore. The layers of belief, mythology, and science have always coexisted in India.” Elaborating on his theory, he stated, “There are deep beliefs around supernatural ghosts, rituals, and even practices like black magic, especially in villages. At the same time, our Vedas and ancient philosophies, also explore the concept of the soul traveling beyond the body in search of knowledge. Even culturally, we’ve always believed in nine celestial influences long before modern discoveries caught up. That’s what Bhooth Bangla is: a blend of folklore, belief systems, and imagination. It’s not just a film, it’s a reflection of stories that have lived among us for centuries.”

The makers of Bhooth Bangla released their teaser a few days ago, which offered audiences a sneak peek into the film’s unique blend of horror and comedy, hinting at a fun yet eerie ride. The first single of the film, released a few weeks ago, also received a lot of attention for its wacky visuals and lyrical tribute to Satyajit Ray.

Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures in association with Cape of Good Films, Bhooth Bangla also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, and Rajpal Yadav in primary cast.