Writer Rohan Shankar Denies Reports of Exiting 'Hera Pheri 3'
Writer Rohan Shankar has firmly denied recent reports claiming he has exited the much-anticipated film 'Hera Pheri 3', labeling the chatter around his alleged departure as inaccurate and misleading. The clarification emerges amid escalating speculation about the film's status, compounded by the project being entangled in legal questions over franchise rights.
Shankar's Statement on Social Media
In comments cited from his social media statement, Shankar wrote, "Some fake news is being spread in my name about a big film. It's completely false and has almost no truth in it. A simple interview about my work and cinema has been taken out of context and turned into a clickbait headline. Please ignore it." His response directly addresses reports that suggested he had stepped away from 'Hera Pheri 3', emphasizing that the narrative being circulated does not reflect the facts.
Context from Interview with News18
In his conversation with News18, Shankar explained that he had been involved in discussions around the film and had also written its teaser. He stated, "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." This statement indicates that the issue is less about a personal exit and more about the film's unresolved production hurdles, particularly legal complications.
Director Priyadarshan's Busy Schedule
Shankar also spoke about director Priyadarshan's packed schedule, noting, "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." This highlights how the director's commitments are contributing to the delays in 'Hera Pheri 3'.
Legal Troubles Over Franchise Rights
The larger issue remains the legal fight around the franchise. According to Bar and Bench, Seven Arts International Limited moved the Madras High Court, arguing that producer Firoz Nadiadwala had the right to make only one Hindi remake of the Malayalam film 'Ramji Rao Speaking'. The company alleged that he exceeded those rights by making 'Phir Hera Pheri' and later selling the rights to a third film. This ongoing legal battle is a significant factor in the film's stalled production.
As speculation continues to build, Shankar's denial serves as a crucial clarification, urging fans and media to rely on verified facts rather than sensationalized headlines. The future of 'Hera Pheri 3' remains uncertain, pending resolution of these legal and scheduling challenges.
