Mumbai, September 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Filmmaker Priyadarshan has recalled the larger-than-life aura that once surrounded Bollywood stars, sharing a personal memory of the extraordinary lengths he went to as a young film enthusiast to watch Amitabh Bachchan on the big screen.
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Priyadarshan recalled trying to secure a first-day ticket for Kasauti, an experience that left him with a lasting scar.
“I have a big scar even now from trying to get a ticket for Kasauti on the first day. And for me, Amitabh Bachchan was God, he still is,” the filmmaker said.
Priyadarshan said his admiration for Bachchan remains unchanged, but observed that the nature of stardom has evolved considerably. According to him, audiences once knew little about the personal lives of major stars, which helped create a sense of mystery and anticipation around them.
“Now every star is there at every corner. You can see an actor moving around casually, but there was an aura about those actors whom you wanted to see back then and didn’t know anything about,” he said.
He recalled that audiences in the earlier era often went to theatres primarily to see their favourite stars rather than simply watch a film.
Priyadarshan also discussed changing viewing habits, saying the faster pace of modern life has contributed to shorter attention spans. However, he pointed to the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar as evidence that audiences are still willing to watch longer films when the content manages to immerse them.
He said short-form content on platforms such as YouTube often serves to relieve boredom, whereas cinema offers viewers an opportunity to escape everyday life and enter another world.
“This is the magic of cinema,” Priyadarshan said.
The filmmaker is currently preparing for the release of his thriller Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 11.
Haiwaan marks Akshay and Saif’s reunion on the big screen after 18 years and also marks Saif’s first collaboration with Priyadarshan.
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