What’s Next for Hera Pheri 3? Director Priyadarshan Exits Amid Controversies!

Hera Pheri 3 Faces Turmoil

The much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3 has been surrounded by controversies since it was first announced. This third chapter is set to bring back Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal in their iconic roles as Raju, Shyam, and Baburao. However, the project has faced significant hurdles, including Paresh's exit and a hefty legal notice amounting to Rs 25 crore. Additionally, copyright disputes have plagued the film, and recently, director Priyadarshan confirmed his withdrawal from the project, a revelation made by producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who has shared some surprising insights regarding this situation.

Priyadarshan Discusses His Departure

Priyadarshan On Hera Pheri 3 Exit

In an interview with Mid-Day, Priyadarshan revealed that Firoz had informed Akshay that he possessed the rights to produce Hera Pheri 3 but advised against working with Priyadarshan. The director of Bhoot Bangla stated that this was his only condition. He further claimed that Firoz had often disrespected him, including comments suggesting that his contribution to Hera Pheri (2000) was inferior. Priyadarshan also mentioned that he had to shorten his five-hour film to fit the project.
Initially, he was excited to direct the third installment alongside Akshay, as he envisioned it becoming one of the largest franchises in Indian cinema. He expressed, "If I had directed it, I could’ve made it larger than Dhurandhar." He noted that Akshay, Suniel, and Paresh had encouraged him to take on the direction of Hera Pheri 3, showing enthusiasm after he pitched the story to them.

Challenges Surrounding Hera Pheri 3

Hera Pheri 3 Row

Reportedly, the troubles began in 2025 when Priyadarshan was warned by GP Vijayakumar from Seven Arts Films that producing the film could lead to legal complications. The director expressed uncertainty about the project's future. In the interview, he suggested that Hera Pheri 3 might not feature the same characters due to ongoing legal issues, stating, "In my view, Hera Pheri (2000) was born, Hera Pheri 2 (2006) became unwell, and Hera Pheri 3 will not survive." He described the situation as a "legally intricate copyright dispute."
Meanwhile, Firoz has indicated that progress is being made, but fans remain hopeful that the film will eventually be completed and do justice to the beloved franchise. However, many believe that without Priyadarshan's involvement, the project seems unlikely to succeed. Currently, the ongoing pre-production challenges have led to the film being labeled as "jinxed."
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