Amid Hera Pheri 3 delay, Priyadarshan moves on with Pankaj Tripathi film – Here’s the latest update

Priyadarshan has confirmed that owing to legal battles that his upcoming movie Hera Pheri 3 faces, the film will not be going on floors soon. The filmmaker, who has been trending for his upcoming release with Akshay Kumar, titled Bhooth Bangla, is now moving on to his next project with Pankaj Tripathi. He has spilled details about the very movie's schedule. Here’s everything he shared…

What did Priyadarshan say about his next movie with Pankaj Tripathi?

When speaking about his movie with Pankaj Tripathi with E Times, Priyadarshan said, “I don’t want to reveal much about it. It’s a film starting in June and is an out-and-out comedy.” With it, the director has confirmed that he is moving on with the Pankaj Tripathi film almost right after Bhooth Bangla releases in theatres in April 2026.

What had Priyadarshan shared about Hera Pheri 3 delay?

Producer G P Vijayakumar had moved the Madras High Court, stating that he has the rights to Hera Pheri franchise instead of Firoz Nadiadwala. Vijayakumar’s production house, Seven Arts International, had granted Firoz the rights to remake the original film, which is the Hindi version of the Malayalam original Ramji Rao Speaking – the original 2000 film Hera Pheri. Vijayakumar alleged that Nadiadwala breached the agreement not only with the second film but also assigned the rights to Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films for the third installment. Meanwhile, Bhushan Kumar claimed rights over the music. “Certain people said they have the rights to the film, while others claimed rights to the music,” Priyadarshan had shared with the portal in the very matter. When asked if Hera Pheri will go on floors any time soon, the director had said, “Definitely not this year.”

About Pankaj Tripathi-Priyadarshan’s film

Priyadarshan had confirmed his movie with Pankaj Tripathi back in December. “It will be an all-out comedy like Hungama [2003] or Hera Pheri [2000], with Pankaj as the pivotal character. He is one of the finest actors we have today and it will be a pleasure working with him again. I am currently writing the story and once that is finalised, I will approach the other two actors,” he had shared back then, adding that he narrated the story to Tripathi who liked the idea which prompted him to go ahead with the script.

FAQs

Q: Is Hera Pheri 3 coming out?

A: Hera Pheri 3, featuring Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty, directed by Priyadarshan, is currently stalled.

Q: Did Paresh Rawal quit Hera Pheri 3?

A: Paresh Rawal initially quit Hera Pheri 3 but later confirmed that all issues have been resolved and he has returned to the franchise.

Q: Who are the lead actors in Hera Pheri 3?

A: Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty will reprise Baburao, Raju, and Shyam roles, respectively, in Hera Pheri 3.