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Arguably one of the most successful and accomplished directors in Malayalam today, Priyadarshan has worked not only in his home turf, but also in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu as well, leaving a lasting impact across multiple film industries in the country. Over a directorial career spanning more than 40 years, he has delivered numerous blockbusters, with many of his films still regarded as some of the finest comedies of all time.
However, did you know that Priyadarshan’s dream was not to become a filmmaker, but a sportsperson? Yes, you heard it right. He initially aspired to become a cricketer, but a near-fatal incident changed the course of his life, leading him to the world of cinema, where he eventually became a star director. In fact, he himself once spoke about the incident that occurred while he was a college student. “There was a time when I harboured an ambition of being a cricketer. I used to play on the state level and was an expert at it during my school days. During my college days, I represented my institute as a captain and actively participated in the game,” he told Times of India in 2012.
Reflecting on the incident that permanently damaged his left eye, Priyadarshan added, “Once, while playing, I lost my eye. I gave it up then. Guess whatever happens, happens for good, for I became a filmmaker. Had I been a cricketer, today I would have retired and be working in a bank. But I became a filmmaker and have no regrets about it. I still love cricket and always make it a point to carry all the equipment to the sets. The entire unit and I play during breaks.”
In September 2024, Priyadarshan experienced a touching moment when he met former fast bowler Haneef Mohammed, whose delivery decades ago cost him his eye. As an ardent cricket fan, the filmmaker became the owner of the Trivandrum Royals team in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) last year, and for the league’s opening ceremony, Priyadarshan invited Mohammed, who attended the event despite his physical limitations and being in a wheelchair.
Priyadarshan eventually chose the road to cinema with his friends Mohanlal and Suresh Kumar, among others, who all made their debut together in the film Thiranottam (1978). Unfortunately, they couldn’t release the movie until 2005. He made his proper foray into the industry as a writer and had his directorial debut with Poochakkoru Mookkuthi (1984).
He is currently working on his 99th directorial venture, Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles. The movie is a remake of his Malayalam blockbuster Oppam (2016). Priyadarshan recently revealed that his 100th film will be with his close friend and frequent collaborator Mohanlal. He also expressed his wish to retire from cinema after that.
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