Looks like Priyadarshan isn’t slowing down even for a second. With Bhooth Bangla still running in theatres and holding steady, the director has already shifted gears to his next film — and this one’s going straight into his comfort zone: full-on comedy.
And the casting? That’s where it gets interesting.
He’s bringing together Pankaj Tripathi, Annu Kapoor, and Saurabh Shukla as the central trio. Not the usual mainstream combo you see every Friday, but honestly, that’s what makes this more exciting. It feels like Priyadarshan is leaning into performance-driven humor rather than star-driven noise.
The film, still untitled for now, is being described as a chaotic comedy about three elderly men getting caught in situations way beyond their control. Think confusion, bad decisions, and things spiraling out of hand — the kind of madness you’d expect from films like Hungama or The Shaukeens. That old-school Priyadarshan energy, where everything builds into one big mess.
And yeah, Rajpal Yadav is also back in the mix. No surprises there. He’s been one of Priyadarshan’s go-to faces when it comes to comedy, and this time too, he’s expected to have a strong presence in the story.
What adds another layer here is the reunion angle.
Priyadarshan and Pankaj Tripathi are working together after a long gap — about 16 years since Aakrosh. Back then, Tripathi wasn’t even close to the kind of recognition he has today. Now, he’s walking in as one of the most dependable actors in the industry, and seeing him in a pure comedy setup under Priyadarshan feels like something fans didn’t know they needed.
With Saurabh Shukla, the connection goes even further back to Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar. And Annu Kapoor — that’s a proper throwback. The two last collaborated in the early ‘90s with Muskurahat and Gardish. So in a way, this film is pulling together different eras of Priyadarshan’s career into one project.
From what’s being planned, the film is already written and ready to roll. Shooting is expected to begin in July 2026, and unlike most long-drawn productions, this one is aiming for a tight two-month schedule. Quick shoot, quick turnaround — very much like the director’s earlier working style.
At the same time, this isn’t his only priority.
This project seems to be more like a stop before something much bigger. Priyadarshan is also preparing for his 100th film, which will star Mohanlal. That one’s said to be a musical drama centered around a father-son conflict, both being Carnatic singers — a completely different tone compared to this comedy.
And then there’s Haiwaan with Akshay Kumar, lined up as an action thriller for later this year. So yeah, his slate right now is all over the place — comedy, drama, action — and somehow, he’s managing all of it.
Meanwhile, Bhooth Bangla is quietly doing its job at the box office. The film has already pulled in around ₹64.75 crore in just four days, including previews. Not explosive, but steady — and in today’s market, that counts for a lot. If the trend holds, crossing ₹100 crore doesn’t look far off.
For Akshay Kumar, that could be a much-needed win after a rough run. And for Priyadarshan, it just reinforces that his style of storytelling — simple setups, chaotic payoffs — still connects.
Coming back to this new comedy, the real curiosity is how this trio will play off each other. Tripathi’s subtle timing, Shukla’s natural ease, and Annu Kapoor’s unpredictability — that mix could either go brilliantly right or completely off-track.
But knowing Priyadarshan, he usually finds a way to make the chaos work.
