Remember the scene where Arshad Warsi’s character hangs from a tree after sneaking into Kareena Kapoor Khan’s house with Akshaye Khanna, only to fall into boiling homemade glue and then into a pile of dried leaves? It left audiences in splits. That was Warsi in Priyadarshan’s comedy Hulchul (2004) — a character the audience loved.

However, in a recent interview with Lallantop, the actor described his time on the film as a “bad experience”, largely because the role promised to him was allegedly much bigger than the one he eventually played.

While Warsi did not directly blame the filmmaker, his remarks have hurt Priyadarshan, who is currently busy with post-production work on Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. 

Reacting to Warsi’s claims of being tricked into playing a smaller role in Hulchul, the director says, “I was very upset [when I read what he said]. I could be wrong and maybe it has been misinterpreted, but if he has [complained], I am shocked.”

Stating that Warsi’s character, Lucky Bhalla, was loved by both audiences and critics, Priyadarshan says he is surprised the actor never voiced these concerns earlier.

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?”

Noting that viewers continue to rewatch the Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Arbaaz Khan, and Shakti Kapoor-starrer, Priyadarshan adds that while Munna Bhai MBBS (2003) marked a turning point in Warsi’s career, Hulchul strengthened his comic timing. “People loved and appreciated his performance in Hulchul. I am very upset and deeply hurt by these accusations from Arshad. He had no reason to complain.”