Hera Pheri 3 Hits Major Roadblock

Fans looking forward to Hera Pheri 3 have received a disappointing update. According to a report by Hindustan Times, veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan is no longer associated with the project. While producer Feroze Nadiadwala previously indicated that work on the threequel was moving in the right direction without the director, Priyadarshan himself has now confirmed his exit.

Speaking exclusively to Hindystan Times, Priyadarshan verified the producer's statement, confirming that he is not currently part of the film.

Future of the Franchise Cast into Doubt

Priyadarshan went a step further, suggesting that the comedy caper faces an incredibly uncertain future and may not get made at all.

“To the best of my knowledge, Hera Pheri 3 will never hit the screen due to lots of legal issues and personal conflicts. Whether I am involved or not is unimportant,” the filmmaker stated to Hindustan Times.

This development follows an earlier interview given by Nadiadwala to Variety India, where he first revealed the director's absence from the third installment. The news marks a significant setback for the franchise. The original Hera Pheri (2000) achieved cult status over the years, and its follow-up, Phir Hera Pheri—directed by Neeraj Vohra—was also a major success.

Rights Disputes and Production Hurdles

The Hindustan Times report outlines that the biggest obstacle for Hera Pheri 3 is a major legal dispute regarding ownership. Seven Arts International, a production house based in the South, has moved to court claiming that they own the rights to the Hera Pheri franchise and its characters rather than Nadiadwala.

Although Nadiadwala has disputed these claims, the legal conflict has created confusion for the cast as well. A spokesperson for Akshay Kumar’s production house told Hindustan Times that they had purchased the rights from Nadiadwala under the impression that he was the rightful owner.

The project originally aimed to reunite the core "OG gang" of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal under Priyadarshan's direction. However, the film has faced multiple internal challenges, including a sudden exit by Paresh Rawal in May 2025, though he later returned to the project.

While the fate of the threequel remains up in the air, the report notes that the lead trio of Akshay, Suniel, and Paresh can currently be seen together in the recently released Welcome To The Jungle, which happens to be co-incidentally produced by Feroze.