by Subhash K Jha

We've seen them exercise their farcical muscles individually. Govinda is a laugh-riot in David Dhawan's comedies. Akshay Kumar proved his métier at mirth in Priyadarshan's comedies including the latest Garam Masala. But we haven't had a chance to watch them together.

For the first time Priyadarshan brings Akshay and Govinda together, along with Lara Dutta and Paresh Rawal, in start-to-finish comedy in June.

Reveals the director, "It's a comedy called Bhaagam-Bhaag. As the title suggests it's a totally crazy comedy of errors like Stanley Kramer's It's A Mad Mad Mad World. It involves characters in a theatrical group from India who have to perform in London.

The actors in the group include Akshay Kumar who's the villain in the play, Govinda who is the play's hero while Paresh Rawal owns the repertory. At the airport the play's heroine who's fed up of Akshay and Govinda, refuses to turn up. Once in London they've to look for a heroine. It's a crazy film."

Priyadarshan has just returned from London after finalizing locations. "The entire film has to be shot in the city. This would be my first film to be shot entirely abroad since America America in Malayalam."

Sanjay Dutt will make a guest appearance in the film which starts in June. Priyadarshan is enormously enthusiastic.

"But first I'll shoot a song for the film before going into full shooting in June. I never worked with Govinda before, nor seen any of his films. But the role in Bhaagam-bhag is tailormade for Govinda.

He's a guy who cannot communicate in any language but his mother tongue in London. Both Akshay and Govinda are good in their comic timing. And I'm going to cash in on that"

"This is going to be last comedy for a while. I'll be shifting to a couple of serious subjects after this."

It looks like payback time for Govinda who has landed himself with plum assignments with David Dhawan, Nikhil Advani, Aparna Sen and now Priyadarshan.