It’s not a film critics thought he could have made. But Kanchivaram is director Priyadarshan’s answer to the “remaker” tag
Not many would like to remember what they did out of anger and frustration. Unless it helps you win a National Award. Director Priyadarshan has long remained ‘the man who mastered remaking. ’ A National Award for Kanchivaram, a small, quiet film, might have changed that.
A chat with the director:

Priyadarshan making a film like Kanchivaram was not impossible, but at least improbable, going by the perception of critics and the public.
I wanted to prove a point. A comedy film, however successful it may be at the box office or in making people laugh is never considered ‘good’ by the critics. But I believe making people laugh is one of the most difficult things, and I achieved that.
My movies were huge commercial successes but critics gave them one star. They do not understand the pressure to safeguard the producer’s money. It is not like I don’t understand art-house. I grew up watching, and still watch, good flims from around the world. But when you are making one, you should understand that cinema is largely a medium of mass entertainment. It should be successful so that the producer gets his money. It is a huge responsibility.
My films have won about 16-17 awards but I was still a comedy director. That is when I decided to make Kanchivaram based on a story that was brewing in my mind for nine long years. Half the credit (for the film) should go to lead actor Prakash Raj, who pestered me for 32 days from the moment he heard the story to get the film rolling.

... contd.