Hera Pheri 3 Faces Uncertain Future as Director Exits
Hera Pheri 3 Update: Director Priyadarshan's Departure
In a disappointing turn of events for fans eagerly anticipating the release of Hera Pheri 3, director Priyadarshan has announced that the film featuring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal will not be released. This statement follows producer Feroze Nadiadwala's revelation that Priyadarshan is no longer involved with the project. In a recent interview, Priyadarshan confirmed his exit from Hera Pheri 3, citing numerous legal challenges the film is currently facing.
Priyadarshan's Insight on Hera Pheri 3
Fans were thrilled when Priyadarshan was brought on board to direct the much-anticipated sequel. However, since the announcement, the project has encountered various hurdles, leading to its current standstill. Speaking to HT City, Priyadarshan stated that he is 'not associated with Hera Pheri 3 at this time' and emphasized that the film may never be produced. He remarked, "To the best of my knowledge, Hera Pheri 3 will never hit the screen due to numerous legal issues and personal disputes. My involvement is irrelevant." This news is likely to disappoint fans who were looking forward to seeing the beloved trio of Raju, Shyam, and Babu Rao reunite, especially after their recent collaboration in Welcome To The Jungle.
Legal Complications Surrounding Hera Pheri 3
The legal issues plaguing Hera Pheri 3 are intricate. A significant controversy centers on the ownership of the franchise, with the South Indian production company Seven Arts International asserting that it holds the rights to the franchise and its characters, a claim that producer Feroze Nadiadwala disputes. This dispute dates back to the Malayalam films Ramji Rao Speaking and Mannar Mathai Speaking, which inspired the Hindi Hera Pheri series. Seven Arts International has accused Nadiadwala of violating their copyright and derivative rights concerning the sequel.
The case has escalated to the Madras High Court, which in April 2026 dismissed Nadiadwala's request to reject the plaint, ruling that the issues surrounding copyright assignment, remake rights, and enforceability necessitate a full trial. Compounding the situation, a representative from Akshay Kumar's production company previously indicated that they obtained the rights from Nadiadwala under the assumption that he owned them, a claim now cast into doubt by the ongoing litigation.