‘Hera Pheri 3 won’t happen this year’: Priyadarshan on messy legal battle stalling Akshay Kumar film, the ‘tiff’ with Paresh Rawal 

As per Bar and Bench, production house Seven Arts International claimed that Firoz Nadiadwala only had the rights to remake one film — the Hindi adaptation of the Malayalam original Ramji Rao Speaking. This adaptation became the first Hera Pheri, which was released in 2000 and directed by Priyadarshan.

The producer further alleged that Nadiadwala violated the contract not only by making the sequel Phir Hera Pheri but also by transferring the rights of the franchise to a third party — Cape of Good Films, which belongs to Akshay Kumar.

Priyadarshan on tiff with Paresh Rawal

Hera Pheri 3 did not face legal trouble only over its rights. At one point, Paresh Rawal had exited the film, following which Akshay Kumar reportedly moved court against him, seeking Rs 25 crore in damages. However, the matter was resolved quickly, with Akshay later withdrawing the case. During the interaction, Priyadarshan maintained that he never had any issues with Rawal, with whom he has collaborated for several years. He added that there is no animosity between them and acknowledged that relationships in the film industry often change. “I’ve also seen people fall out and then work together again. I don’t think there are permanent enemies in politics or cinema,” he said.

Also Read | Paresh Rawal corrects fan who calls him ‘hero’ of Hera Pheri 3, requests him to reconsider his exit: ‘There are three heroes’

Priyadarshan on Manoj Bajpayee replacing Govinda in Bhagam Bhag

The filmmaker also spoke about the sequel to Bhagam Bhag and revealed that while he did not want to be part of the project despite being offered the director’s chair, he never stopped the makers from going ahead with it or Akshay Kumar from starring in it. He also denied having any knowledge about Manoj Bajpayee replacing Govinda in the film. Addressing the speculation, Priyadarshan said, “I have no idea what they are doing or what the subject is.”