20 Best Priyadarshan Movies and Where to Watch Them Online
As a director of many iconic Bollywood comedies, Priyadarshan is a master of chaos. Just take the comedy of errors that he weaves in films like Hera Pheri and Bhagam Bhag. But at the same time, Priyadarshan can get to some serious business as is evident from his Tamil and Malayalam dramas like Kanchivaram and Kaalapani.
Which Priyadarshan movies should I watch first
To get a hang of Priyadarshan’s quintessential filmmaking style, watch his cult classic comedies first. These include the Akshay Kumar-led Hera Pheri (and its sequel Phir Hera Pheri).
Hera Pheri is a classic comedy of errors about three down-on-their-luck men who find themselves in a hilarious kidnapping plot. Paresh Rawal’s hilarious character Baburao has now become a staple of Bollywood pop culture, thanks to his quotable dialogues and witty comeback replies.
The film was followed by an equally successful sequel. Phir Hera Pheri reunited the trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal (all three being frequent collaborators in Priyadarshan movies).
Another Priyadarshan comedy classic to watch is Hungama which starred Akshaye Khanna along with an ensemble cast of recurring actors like Paresh Rawal. A lot of his other comedies like Dhol, Bhaagam Bhag, and Malamaal Weekly went down the Hera Pheri route but stood out with their own iconic scenes.
Most of these comedies involved a group of characters accidentally getting involved in criminal conspiracies. But considering how most of Priyadarshan’s protagonists are simple-minded and naive, their struggles to get out of this confusion is what adds to the comedy.
A relatively unconventional comedy in Priyadarshan’s filmography was Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The horror comedy starred Akshay Kumar as a psychologist who investigates the strange happenings of a haunted mansion. Vidya Balan’s spine-chilling performance as a woman possessed by a dancing spirit made this slightly edgier than the director’s other comedies.
Priyadarshan has also directed some memorable dramas. In Bollywood, he chartered more serious territory with Virasat. The family drama had Anil Kapoor and Tabu at their melodramatic best and emerged as a critical and commercial hit in the 1990s.
A more impactful drama from the director is the brilliant Prakash Raj-starrer Kanchivaram. The period drama explored the struggles of silk-weavers in the titular Tamil Nadu town. The film went on to win a National Award for Best Film.
Another hard-hitting drama directed by Priyadarshan was Kaalapani, a historical drama about Indian freedom fighters imprisoned in the Andaman Islands. Boasting a memorable lead performance by Mohanlal, the Malayalam-language film remains one of Priyadarshan’s most acclaimed works.
Why is Hera Pheri the best Priyadarshan movie to watch?
Hera Pheri is largely considered Priyadarshan's best movie due to its impeccable comic timing, memorable characters, and the chemistry between Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. The film's clever plot, engaging dialogues, and flawless direction create a timeless comedy that resonates with audiences, making it a cult classic in Indian cinema.
If you are looking for the best Priyadarshan movies, we’ve got you covered with a streaming guide. This includes where to watch her best movies on streaming services available in India.
