Priyadarshan reveals whether Akshaye Khanna, Salman Khan, Govinda were difficult to work with: ‘Don’t try to change actors, accept them'

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan has opened up about his working equation with actors, stressing that understanding individuals is key to a smooth collaboration. The director had high praise for Akshaye Khanna, calling him “a complete actor” and someone he shares a strong rapport with.“People say some actors are difficult, but I find them very easy to work with. The key is to understand and accept individuals for who they are,” Priyadarshan told Siddharth Kannan. Weighing in on the long-standing perception of “difficult” actors in the industry, the filmmaker dismissed the notion, revealing he has rarely faced such challenges.“I don’t try to decode or change anyone. I accept them for what they are and then ask them to do what I need. Once you accept a person, things automatically fall into place,” he explained.Priyadarshan emphasised that a director’s approach plays a crucial role in shaping on-set dynamics, suggesting that mutual respect and acceptance often eliminate friction.Backing his stance with examples, the director spoke about working with stars like Salman Khan and Govinda, both of whom are often labelled as unpredictable. “People said Govinda wouldn’t come on time—he did. They said Salman has mood swings—I never experienced that. Both were cheerful throughout,” he said.