Every film that is released should work: Anees Bazmee

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee’s ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’ has been making waves with its dream collaboration between Vidya Balan and Madhuri Dixit. He revealed that Vidya was always his top choice and her attachment to the film generated significant buzz, especially since she was returning to the franchise 17 years after the original, ace director Priyadarshan’s 2007 ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ with Akshay Kumar in the lead.
Talking to ‘Hindi Rush’, the filmmaker shared a delightful anecdote about how he always had Vidya Balan in his mind. He said, “When we wrote the film, I kept wondering how it would be wonderful if Vidya Balan did this film. Her attaching herself to the film also created a lot of buzzes that she is doing this film 17 years after doing the film (Priyadarshan’s ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, 2007), since she was coming back.”
He then revealed how he approached Madhuri for the role of second Manjulika. He said, “The second Manjulika’s character was also of great importance, so I thought of approaching Madhuri Dixit and everybody was excited. I remember once we met at a party and she told me, ‘I’ve seen your films. They’re really good)’. So, I was like, ‘She has really praised me, now let’s seize the opportunity. I can’t let this chance slip away)’. I met her (for the film) and narrated the story to her and she loved it. She felt everything was right - the producers, the star cast and the director, so she said, ‘Let’s do it’. That day, we all were very excited and happy that Madhuri ji and Vidya ji would be in our film. There could be nothing better than this for the film.”
The film’s release coincided with Rohit Shetty’s ‘Singham Again’. Despite the box office clash, Bazmee emphasised the importance of both films succeeding. He said, “That (working of both films) was very important for the industry. Every film that is released should work. The making of a film means there’s a lot of money going into it; it also takes care of many people’s jobs. There are so many people working so hard to make a single film. So, I always wish that all the films will do well. It was my dua from the very first day that both films should be successful. I am very happy ‘sab accha hua’. I don’t believe in completion. For me, it’s like we all are coming together. They are all my friends in that film. Arjun is a friend and so is Ajay ji and Akshay and Rohit. Both the films are doing well and everybody is happy.”