Priyadarshan ropes in Aamir Khan for his next film

Filmmaker Priyadarshan, whose film social drama ‘Kanchivaram’ won a National Award, has roped in none other than Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan for his next “realistic” project, a film on AIDS.

The director revealed that Aamir has said yes to the film which deals with the disease and the social stigma attached to it.

“My next film is a meaningful and realistic take on AIDS. I have narrated the story to Aamir and he really liked it, though I have not presented him a bound script yet,” Priyadarshan told PTI at the sidelines of Delhi International Art Festival.

This will be the first time that the filmmaker will be working with Aamir but when asked about the one actor he wishes to work with, Priyadarshan did not wait before replying, “Big B“.

“I have worked with Mr Bachchan on advertisements but I want to shoot a feature film with him. It would be a great experience,” said the filmmaker.

AIDS is still a taboo topic in Bollywood though South Indian filmmaker Revathy and Onir had explored the subject in their films ‘Phir Milenge’ and ‘My Brother Nikhil’

While ‘Phir Milenge’ had a star studded cast including Salman Khan, Shilpa Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan, ‘My Brother Nikhil’ starred Sanjay Suri, Juhi Chawla and Purab Kohli.

Priyadarshan who has directed superhit comedies like ’Hera Pheri’ and ‘Malamaal Weekly’ said that the National Award, his first ever, has inspired him to take risks with off—beat cinema.

“I finally got an award after 25 years in the industry and it is a great recognition. All those who thought that I could do nothing more than comedies and remakes have been proved wrong and you will see many more realistic films from my side,” said Priyadarshan.

The filmmaker is currently shooting for a yet-untitled film starring Ajay Devgan and Akshaye Khanna in Tamil Nadu, while Aamir Khan is working on his film ‘Three Idiots’ where he stars alongside Kareena Kapoor and R Madhavan.