Exclusive: Priyadarshan speaks for the first time about troubled marriage rumours

The super-prolific filmmaker Priyadarshan, missing from Bollywood since the debacle of the well-made Rangrezz last year, suddenly surfaced in the news this week with reports of a rift with his wife, former actress Lizzy. Now finally breaking his silence on the roaring rumours Priyadarshan says he has sorted out problems with his wife. “I was shooting in the interiors of Kerala completely oblivious to the growing whispers about my marriage. Let me assure everyone, Lizzy and I are very much together.” Not that Priyan is denying differences with his better-half. But he protests they are normal domestic issues. “Come on, which couple doesn’t argue and fight? Sure, Lizzy and I had some difference of opinion. It all started over a recent CCL match. But the argument was between us. Like any marriage there are things that happen between the couple that should remain private. No one has the right to put our marriage on display without our knowledge.” Priyan says he is in the dark as to who leaked out the information on his marital discord to the press. “Somebody definitely played dirty with us. And I suspect it is someone who is close to us. In this business (show business) there are no friends, only opportunists. One of our so-called friends has spread this lie about my marriage. But trust me, Lizzy and I very much together.” Next year Priyadarshan and his wife will complete the silver jubilee of their marriage. “We’ve been married for 24 years. Next year we plan to have a grand silver-jubilee celebration. Have we ever been caught looking anything but happy together? If we had some difference of opinion does it mean we’re separating?” The Director says he was shocked by the divorce rumours. “I could understand rumours about us having differences. But where did divorce come in? Maybe in the entertainment business some people come together and separate as and when they wish. Our marriage is build on a solid foundation. Lizzy gave up her career to be my wife and to look after my home. She has given me a wonderful son. I can’t express enough gratitude for her presence in my life. It’s shocking to even mention ‘divorce’ in our marriage. Like I said, we’ll be at the CCL match in Hyderabad together. I am sure the dirt-diggers and gossip-mongers would be disappointed to see how happy we are together.”