Priyadarshan breaks silence on Arshad Warsi’s ‘Hulchul’ comments, says he is 'shocked' and 'upset' by claims of a bad on-set experience

What was meant to be one of the most memorable comic tracks of the 2000s has now sparked a fresh debate. Director Priyadarshan has reacted to Arshad Warsi’s recent comments about having a disappointing experience while working on ‘Hulchul’ (2004), admitting that the statements left him upset and taken aback.

The ‘Hulchul’ role audiences still remember

Fans still recall the hilarious sequence where Arshad Warsi’s character, Lucky Bhalla, ends up hanging from a tree after secretly entering Kareena Kapoor Khan’s house with Akshaye Khanna, only to tumble into boiling glue and a heap of dry leaves. The slapstick moment became one of the highlights of ‘Hulchul’, a Priyadarshan comedy that went on to earn a loyal following.

Arshad Warsi calls the experience disappointing

In a recent interaction with Lallantop, Arshad Warsi revealed that his time on the film was not pleasant. According to the actor, the role initially offered to him was far more substantial than what finally made it to the screen. Though he did not explicitly accuse Priyadarshan, Warsi hinted that he felt misled about the scope of his character.

Priyadarshan reacts: “I was very upset”

Priyadarshan, who is currently occupied with post-production work on ‘Haiwaan’, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, has now addressed Warsi’s comments. the director says, “I was very upset. I could be wrong and maybe it has been misinterpreted, but if he has, I am shocked.”

The director pointed out that Warsi’s character was widely appreciated at the time of release. Recalling a phone call with Warsi after the film’s release, he says, “After the release, he called and told me, ‘Priyan sir, I never thought that I would get this kind of appreciation.’ Hulchul was a big hit, but Arshad said it was a flop film. That has pained me; why would he say that when it was one of my hit films?”

A film that boosted Arshad Warsi’s comic image

Priyadarshan also stressed that while ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ (2003) may have changed the course of Warsi’s career, ‘Hulchul’ played a key role in reinforcing his strength in comedy. Featuring an ensemble cast including Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arbaaz Khan and Shakti Kapoor, the film remains popular even years later. The director reiterated that he found the allegations unnecessary and said he was genuinely hurt by them.

‘Hulchul’ reportedly collected around Rs 31 crore at the box office, further strengthening Priyadarshan’s argument that the film was far from a failure.

What Arshad Warsi had said?

Speaking about his role as Lucky Bhalla in ‘Hulchul’, Arshad Warsi revealed that writer Neeraj Vora had initially pitched the part as being on the lines of Akshay Kumar’s character in ‘Hera Pheri’ (2000). However, the actor claimed that he eventually found himself playing the protagonist’s friend. Warsi also recalled being confused about his styling on set, even joking about being given an oddly oversized shirt.