Bollywood’s much-awaited comedy sequel Hera Pheri 3 has been stalled once again. The film will not go on floors this year due to unresolved legal complications surrounding the franchise.
Director Priyadarshan recently confirmed that the project is not moving forward. He stated that several complications remain unresolved and clearly said that shooting will definitely not happen in 2026.
The confirmation has disappointed fans who have been waiting since the project was first announced in 2016. Over the years, repeated delays and uncertainty have led to growing frustration across social media platforms.
The original Hera Pheri, released in 2000, became a cult classic. Its slapstick humour and memorable performances by Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal made it hugely popular.
The sequel, Phir Hera Pheri, released in 2006. While it increased the chaos and humour, it did not match the box office impact of the first film.
The biggest obstacle for Hera Pheri 3 is a copyright dispute in the Madras High Court. The case is between Seven Arts International Limited, led by producer G. P. Vijayakumar, and Bollywood producer Firoz Nadiadwala.
Seven Arts International Limited claims exclusive derivative rights from the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking. They argue that Nadiadwala Productions was licensed only to make the 2000 Hindi remake.
The company further alleged that producing Phir Hera Pheri violated the agreement. They also claimed that franchise rights were transferred to a third party, mainly Cape of Good Films, owned by Akshay Kumar.
Apart from this, a legal dispute also arose between Cape of Good Films and Paresh Rawal. The production house reportedly sued the actor for Rs 25 crore after he allegedly exited the project and made critical remarks.
These multiple legal battles have pushed Hera Pheri 3 into indefinite delay. Priyadarshan’s latest statement confirms that there will be no progress in the near future, leaving the fate of the sequel uncertain.
