Mumbai, April 6 Superstar Akshay Kumar said his upcoming film “Bhooth Bangla” is the right project for him to reunite with his actor friend Tabu after 25 years.
Kumar's last collaboration with Tabu was Priyadarshan's cult film “Hera Pheri", which was released in 2000.
“This was the right film for both of us. We couldn't get the film off the ground because she was busy with her work, I was busy with my work, and Priyan sir was busy elsewhere. So, now you have a chance. But now I will ask Tabu ji and Priyan sir to not have this complaint,” Kumar told reporters at the trailer launch of the film.
Both actors attended the trailer launch event in Mumbai on Monday, where they were accompanied by the filmmaker, co-star Paresh Rawal, and producer Ekta Kapoor.
Kumar reminisced about how he and Tabu have known each other for over 39 years.
“She is a very dear and old friend of mine. I have been in this industry for about 35 years. But I have known Tabu for 38 years, 39 years. Tabu and I used to go to the dance academy together to dance. Very few people know this,” he said.
"Yes, he used to pick me up on the bike," Tabu added.
"Bhooth Bangla" is a horror-comedy about a quirky yet fearless man who finds himself entangled in a mysterious haunted mansion on the outskirts of a quiet town.
The film also reunites Kumar with Priyadarshan, who has made films such as "Garam Masala ", "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" and "Khatta Meetha” among others.
Kumar said working with the filmmaker again felt like a homecoming.
"I am working with Priyan sir after 14 years. I feel like after completing my exile, I got a chance to work with him again, it felt like a homecoming. He makes very clean, family-oriented films. His films don't have any kind of dirt... I enjoy working on such films with him. That is why I was very happy.
"Plus, with Tabu ji, after a long time we worked together. She is a very dear and old friend of mine. With Paresh ji we get up and go to work together," the actor said.
Praising the veteran filmmaker, Kumar said he was eager to do a situational comedy. Priyadarshan is among the few filmmakers who know how to make such films, he added.
“You take any of his films, it will never be illogical. There will be a lot of fantasy in this film, and you have to enjoy it,” he added.
Akshay and Priyadarshan are working on two more projects — “Haiwaan”, which will also star Saif Ali Khan, and the third part of the “Hera Pheri” franchise.
Kapoor said she wanted to work with the superstar for a long time and disclosed a kind gesture by Kumar when “Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara” flopped at the box office.
“I wanted to work with Akshay sir for a long time. One thing that people don't know is that he was the only actor who called me. Our first film didn't do well. He called me. I didn't know why he called me to meet me. I went the next morning to see him. He told me, ‘Listen, take this (cheque).’ He gave me a cheque, and he said, ‘There's money back for you. You lost money.’
“I was in shock as no one does this. In my 31 years of career, no one has done this. He said it very casually. I said, ‘No, sir. Do a film with me. I will earn a lot if you do a film with me.’ That film (Bhooth Bangla) finally happened,” she revealed.
The horror-comedy also features Wamiqa Gabbi, Rajpal Yadav, Mithila Palkar and Rajesh Sharma.
Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with Cape of Good Films, the film is produced by Akshay Kumar, Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor.
“Bhooth Bangla” is slated to release in theaters on April 17.