Priyadarshan confirms exit from Akshay Kumar starrer Hera Pheri 3

The future of Hera Pheri 3 appears to have hit another roadblock. Filmmaker Priyadarshan has confirmed that he is no longer associated with the much-awaited sequel, adding that he is uncertain whether the film will ever make it to the big screen.The development comes after producer Feroze Nadiadwala stated in an interview that Priyadarshan was no longer directing the third instalment of the beloved comedy franchise.Confirming the news to Hindustan Times, Priyadarshan said, "What Feroze has said is true. I am not associated with Hera Pheri 3 at present."'Hera Pheri 3 will never hit the screen'The filmmaker went a step further and expressed doubts about the fate of the project itself."To the best of my knowledge, Hera Pheri 3 will never hit the screen due to lots of legal issues and personal conflicts. Whether I am involved or not is unimportant," he told the publication.His statement is likely to disappoint fans who have been eagerly waiting for the return of the iconic trio and the beloved franchise. A film mired in controversiesHera Pheri (2000), directed by Priyadarshan, went on to become a cult classic, while its sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), directed by Neeraj Vora, was also a commercial success.However, the third instalment has been plagued by multiple hurdles over the years. One of the biggest issues revolves around a legal dispute over the rights to the Hera Pheri franchise. South-based production company Seven Arts International has claimed ownership of the franchise and its characters, a claim that Feroze Nadiadwala has disputed.Earlier, a spokesperson for Akshay Kumar's production house had also stated that the rights were acquired from Nadiadwala under the understanding that he owned them. The film was expected to reunite the original cast—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal—with Priyadarshan returning as director. The project also suffered a setback when Paresh Rawal exited the film in May 2025 before eventually coming back on board.Interestingly, Akshay, Suniel and Paresh recently reunited for Welcome To The Jungle, another film produced by Feroze Nadiadwala.Read the latest Entertainment News and Celebrity updates. Download the TOI App.