The long-standing anticipation for the return of Bollywood’s most beloved comedic trio has hit another significant roadblock. Akshay Kumar, the face of the scheming but lovable Raju, has officially confirmed that Hera Pheri 3 is currently not being made, putting a dampener on years of speculation and fan theories.
During a recent interaction with the media and fans, the actor addressed the constant questions regarding the sequel’s status. With his trademark honesty, Kumar stated that while the project remains close to his heart, there is “nothing happening” on the film at this moment. He further clarified that the delay is not a matter of the cast failing to come together—noting that he, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty are already collaborating on other projects like Welcome to the Jungle—but rather a series of complex “behind-the-scenes” issues.
The journey of Hera Pheri 3 has been a turbulent one for nearly a decade. The franchise, which achieved cult status with the original film in 2000 and its 2006 sequel Phir Hera Pheri, has faced multiple restarts. Fans will remember the 2022 controversy when Kumar initially backed out due to dissatisfaction with the script, followed by a brief period where Kartik Aaryan was rumored to take over the mantle.
While the original trio eventually signaled a reunion in 2023, new legal and technical complications have since emerged. Reports indicate a tangled web of rights disputes involving the production house and various stakeholders. Recently, writer Rohan Shankar reportedly exited the project, citing the ongoing legal battles as a primary reason for his departure.
Despite Kumar’s “not now” stance, co-star Paresh Rawal, who plays the iconic Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, has remained more optimistic in recent interviews. Rawal previously suggested that the film was merely delayed due to technicalities between the producers and the lead actors, even hinting that filming could begin once those “minor” issues were resolved.
However, Kumar’s latest update suggests the impasse is more significant than previously thought. “There are some things I can’t talk about on camera—agreements and other issues that keep pushing the project back,” the actor admitted, adding that he “just hopes it happens” before the cast gets too old to play the roles effectively.
For now, the project remains in a state of “creative limbo.” Director Priyadarshan, who helmed the first installment, is currently working with Akshay Kumar on a different project, the horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla. While this collaboration proves the director-actor duo is still in sync, it also indicates that their immediate focus has shifted away from the Hera Pheri universe.
For the millions of fans who frequently use “Babu Bhaiya” memes and quotes in daily life, the news is a bitter pill to swallow. While the door isn’t officially locked forever, the “confirmed” status of the movie has been downgraded to a hopeful “maybe someday,” leaving Raju, Shyam, and Baburao’s next big hustle on the shelf for the foreseeable future. To know such
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