Hera Pheri 3 Encounters Another Major Hurdle as Writer Departs Project
The highly anticipated Bollywood sequel, Hera Pheri 3, has hit another significant roadblock, casting doubt on its long-awaited production timeline. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the reunion of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal as the iconic characters Raju, Shyam, and Baburao, but the journey to bring this comedy franchise back to life has been fraught with challenges.
Legal Complications Force Writer Rohan Shankar to Exit
In a recent development, writer Rohan Shankar, who was involved in crafting the film's teaser and was in discussions to work on the full script, has confirmed his departure from the project. Shankar cited ongoing legal issues as the primary reason for his exit, marking the latest setback in a saga that has seen the franchise entangled in a complex rights dispute, which even reached the Madras High Court.
"I was in talks, and it was supposed to happen, but it didn’t because of legal issues. Hopefully, if Hera Pheri 3 happens and if Priyadarshan sir is there, maybe I will be too," Shankar told News18, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the film's future.
Priyadarshan's Packed Schedule Adds to the Uncertainty
When asked to clarify his reference to Priyadarshan, Shankar pointed to the filmmaker's incredibly busy work calendar. Priyadarshan, known for his prolific output, is currently juggling multiple projects, which further complicates the scheduling for Hera Pheri 3.
"No, Priyan sir, because he is doing a lot of work, we have just shot 'Bhooth Bangla' and 'Haiwan', and now he has to do another film. After that, he has to do a film with Mohanlal sir, which is his 100th film... He doesn’t stop. Priyan sir works a lot. Priyan sir and Akshay sir are workaholics," Shankar explained.
He elaborated on the timeline challenges, stating, "He has to do one film, then write another, then shoot it, so he keeps on going. Now, in that structure, when will Hera Pheri happen and when will all of this be solved?" Shankar admitted that the unresolved legal issues make it difficult to predict when production might commence, suggesting that Priyadarshan could complete several other films before Hera Pheri 3 even begins.
Current Projects and Promotional Activities
Priyadarshan is currently focused on promoting his upcoming film, 'Bhooth Bangla', which stars Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Mithila Palkar, and the late Asrani. Additionally, he is set to direct the Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan starrer, 'Haiwaan'. These commitments, combined with the legal entanglements, have pushed Hera Pheri 3 further down the priority list.
Shankar summarized the situation by saying, "If it’s solved quickly, then Priyan sir will do it. I don’t know what is happening there, but Priyan sir won’t stop amid all of this. He might make five films before Hera Pheri even starts." This statement underscores the film's precarious position, as both legal and scheduling hurdles continue to delay its progress.
The entertainment industry and fans alike are left wondering when, or if, this beloved franchise will make its much-anticipated return to the big screen.
