The much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3, directed by Priyadarshan, has been making headlines recently, primarily due to its ongoing controversies. Fans of the beloved franchise were thrilled at the prospect of seeing Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal back together. Unfortunately, a series of legal challenges have left the film’s future uncertain.
Writer Rohan Shankar, who was originally involved with the project, shared his thoughts with News18 about the impact of these legal issues on Priyadarshan’s creative process. He mentioned that he had penned the teaser for Hera Pheri 3 and was set to contribute further, but he is no longer part of the film due to the complications arising from legal disputes. “I was in discussions for the project, and it seemed promising, but it fell through because of legal hurdles. If Hera Pheri 3 moves forward and Priyadarshan sir is still on board, perhaps I will join in,” he expressed.
Discussing Priyadarshan’s relentless work ethic, Rohan said, “Priyan sir is quite busy; we recently wrapped up Bhoot Bangla and Haiwan, and he has another film lined up. After that, he’s slated to work on a project with Mohanlal sir, marking his 100th film. He never slows down; he’s a true workaholic alongside Akshay sir.”
Rohan elaborated, “With his packed schedule of directing and writing, it’s uncertain when Hera Pheri 3 might come to fruition or when these legal issues will be resolved. If things clear up soon, Priyan sir will definitely take it on. However, given the current circumstances, he could easily complete multiple films before Hera Pheri even begins.”
As for the legal troubles surrounding Hera Pheri 3, the film encountered unexpected challenges shortly after its announcement. A producer from the South approached the Madras High Court, raising questions about the film’s rights. They claimed that producer Firoz Nadiadwala only had the authorization to create a single Hindi remake of the Malayalam classic Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), which was released as Hera Pheri in 2000.
The production company, Seven Arts International Limited, argued that Nadiadwala overstepped his rights by producing Phir Hera Pheri in 2006 and subsequently selling the rights for a third installment. This dispute has escalated into a significant legal battle, putting the viability of Hera Pheri 3 into question.