Filmmaker Priyadarshan has expressed deep skepticism regarding the future of the beloved comedy franchise Hera Pheri, stating he believes a third installment will likely never get made due to overwhelming creative and logistical hurdles. In a recent interview, the veteran director noted that the project is bogged down by far too many complications to overcome, reflecting the widespread confusion and stalling that has surrounded the prospective film in recent months. Priyadarshan’s pessimistic outlook aligns with earlier statements from lead actor Akshay Kumar, who previously confirmed that there was no immediate possibility of Hera Pheri 3 progressing, as well as veteran actor Paresh Rawal’s earlier decision to step back from the project despite maintaining that there were no personal creative differences with the director. This uncertainty comes during a mixed professional period for Priyadarshan, who recently celebrated the box office success of Bhooth Bangla alongside the underperformance of Haiwaan. Furthermore, while a sequel to his hit 2006 comedy Bhagam Bhaag—which originally starred Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Govinda—is currently in active development, Priyadarshan clarified that he will not be returning to direct it. Explaining his personal stance against directing sequels, the filmmaker emphasized that follow-up films should only be made if they possess a story superior to the original, citing classic franchise exceptions like Terminator 2 while warning that underdelivering on a sequel ultimately damages a franchise’s reputation and long-term legacy. The current impasse stands in stark contrast to early 2025, when Priyadarshan had initially expressed strong enthusiasm for directing the third chapter provided the iconic central trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—reunited to reprise their iconic roles from the landmark 2000 original. The original Hera Pheri told the hilarious story of two desperate tenants, Raju and Shyam, alongside their eccentric landlord Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, who attempt to claim a ransom after receiving a cross-connection phone call, leading to a legendary comic caper that was subsequently followed by Neeraj Vora’s successful 2006 sequel, Phir Hera Pheri. However, with mounting industry complications and key creative figures stepping away, the long-awaited third chapter remains indefinitely shelved, leaving fans of the classic cult franchise uncertain whether Raju, Shyam, and Baburao will ever return to the big screen for another misadventure.
