The road to Hera Pheri 3 has taken yet another unexpected turn. Days after producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala confirmed that filmmaker Priyadarshan is no longer directing the much-awaited comedy sequel, the director himself has now spoken about his exit and expressed doubts over the film’s future. Speaking to Variety India, Firoz Nadiadwala confirmed that Priyadarshan is no longer associated with Hera Pheri 3. While declining to elaborate on the reasons behind the change, the producer maintained that the project is moving ahead and reiterated that the original trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal remains part of the film.
Soon after, Priyadarshan confirmed the development in a statement to Hindustan Times. The veteran filmmaker said that Nadiadwala’s statement was correct and that he is no longer associated with the project. He further claimed that, to the best of his knowledge, Hera Pheri 3 may never make it to the big screen because of ongoing legal issues and personal conflicts surrounding the film.
The latest development comes months after the franchise became embroiled in a legal dispute over its rights. Earlier this year, a petition filed before the Madras High Court questioned whether Firoz Nadiadwala held the rights to produce Hera Pheri 3, adding another layer of uncertainty to the long-delayed sequel.
While Priyadarshan’s exit has sparked speculation that the producer is looking to bring another filmmaker on board, no replacement director has been officially announced as of now. Despite reports circulating on social media, there has been no confirmed statement identifying who will helm the project next.
For now, Hera Pheri 3 finds itself in an unusual position. The producer insists that the film is progressing, while the filmmaker who was expected to revive the franchise believes its future remains uncertain. Until the makers officially reveal the next creative team and resolve the pending legal hurdles, one of Bollywood’s most anticipated sequels continues to remain under a cloud of uncertainty.