Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 28, 2019)

The team of the fourth instalment of the Housefull franchise introduced the trailer of the upcoming reincarnation comedy on Friday afternoon. Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, Kriti Kharbanda and Pooja Hegde were dressed in their characters from 1419. Reminiscing about his friendship with Sajid Nadiadwala who is producing the film with Vijay Singh of Fox Star Studios, Akshay informed that they had studied in the same school, taking the same bus, and even today, live in the same building.

“We have been together since 1975, our kids were born in the same hospital room,” the filmmaker quipped, adding with a laugh that back then, he’d paid for their bus tickets and now was investing in their films. “Inki wajah se hi to mera kitchen chalta hai,” Akshay added in the same vein, setting the tone for the evening.

The two Kritis, Sanon and Kharbanda, then teased him, reminding Akshay about the Kirti-Kriti mix-up during the Mission Mangal promotions that had upset Kirti Kulhari. “I will say it right today,” Khiladi Kumar joked in response. Interestingly, though Maniesh Paul was the designated host for the event, Akshay soon took over. When asked about doing a comedy after a slew of films on socially relevant subjects, the actor explained, “Whenever I want to have a vacation, I call up Sajid and tell him to make another Housefull.” The three leading ladies agreed that the shoot had been like an extended holiday.

On being told that it was being reported that the project had cost more than Bahubali, Akshay argued that wasn’t possible as they wrapped up filming in 65 days to which Riteish remarked, tongue firmly in cheek, “If you deduct his fees, our movie’s budget is much lesser than Bahubali’s.”

It wasn’t all fun and laughs though. The interaction began on a serious note, when Akshay was asked about the changes in the industry in the wake of the #MeToo movement that exploded midway through the shoot of the film, leading to the exit of former director Sajid Khan and cast member Nana Patekar, who were replaced by Farhad Samji and Rana Daggubati respectively. “Production houses are being cautious and thoughtful about sexual harassment incidents and ensuring security for women at the workplace,” he pointed out. When asked if he’d collaborate with Sajid Khan in future, Akshay retorted, “If he is acquitted, then maybe,” adding that even though Sajid has shot 60 per cent of the film, the decision of not giving him any credit is the “producers’ call”.

On a lighter note, Akshay proposed the idea of a Housefull reunion given that a lot of actors have been a part of the franchise. “I’ve even spoke to Sajid about a film which has all the characters returning. It will be our own ‘Comedy Avengers’,” he smiled.