Priyadarshan, who is reuniting with Akshay Kumar for Bhooth Bangla, recently spoke about the differences in screen presence between Akshay and Shah Rukh Khan in an interview with India Today.

Reflecting on his long-standing collaboration with Akshay, the director emphasised how body language and relatability play a crucial role in shaping performances, especially in comedy.

Speaking about the actor, Priyadarshan said, “The plus point of Akshay is that he can look like a common man. His body language, the way he walks, especially when I did Khatta Meetha, I really thought that he looks like a road contractor who is struggling.”

Priyadarshan on SRK and Akshay Kumar’s contrasting looks

Priyadarshan further explained that this grounded quality is what sets Akshay Kumar apart from many of his contemporaries. “Many actors have a little more stylish way of carrying themselves,” he noted, adding that Akshay’s real-life experiences as an ordinary man reflect strongly in his performances. “Akshay can definitely look and has the body language of a common man. And he lived as an ordinary man, so he understands the nuances of an ordinary man,” he said.

In contrast, Priyadarshan described Shah Rukh Khan’s persona, particularly referencing Billu, as distinctly urban. Recalling a shoot in a remote South Indian village, he shared, “I remember I took SRK to a very remote village, a deep village in the South. So, he asked me, ‘How did you find this place?’”

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While Shah Rukh remained committed to his craft, the filmmaker pointed out a certain disconnect in relatability. “He told me something. I can never relate to a village because I always grew up in Delhi,” Priyadarshan revealed, adding, “Shah Rukh can never act as a villager, because his body language is very polished, very urban.”

Priyadarshan on ‘Comedy of Poverty’

He tied this observation to his larger storytelling sensibility, especially in comedy. “What I call is humour of life, humour of poverty,” he explained, noting that many of his films revolve around financially struggling characters. “Actually, if you ask me, Hera Pheri is a comedy of poverty. Everybody is desperate, no money, nothing,” he added.

Priyadarshan’s upcoming movie Bhooth Bangla, will hit theatres on April 17.