Director Priyadarshan has expressed shock and deep hurt over actor Arshad Warsi's recent comments describing his experience on the 2004 film Hulchul as "bad." Warsi claimed he was promised a lead role similar to Akshay Kumar's in Hera Pheri but felt sidelined upon reaching the set. Priyadarshan countered that Warsi had praised his performance post-release and that calling the hit film a "flop" was also painful, stating Warsi had no reason to complain.