Priyadarshan thinks ‘Hera Pheri 3’ starring Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Suniel Shetty might never get made: ‘Too many complications, I’d need chapters and chapters to talk about it’ | Hindi Movie News

The future of ‘Hera Pheri 3’ continues to look uncertain, with the much-awaited sequel facing a series of setbacks, including Paresh Rawal’s exit and return, a legal dispute over the franchise’s rights and Priyadarshan’s decision to step away from the project. The filmmaker, who directed the original 2000 comedy, has now expressed doubts about whether the third instalment will ever be made.Priyadarshan opened up about the complications surrounding ‘Hera Pheri 3’ and also revealed why he declined Akshay Kumar’s offer to direct ‘Bhagam Bhag 2’. The filmmaker explained that he is reluctant to revisit successful films unless there is a compelling story that can surpass the original.When asked why he decided to distance himself from ‘Hera Pheri 3’, Priyadarshan pointed to the multiple issues surrounding the film.“That has a lot of other complications, too many complications. I’d need chapters and chapters to talk about it,” he said in an interview with Hindustan Times.Asked if he thought the sequel would eventually make it to theatres, the director gave a blunt response: “I don’t think it will ever get made”.Priyadarshan also explained why he chose not to direct ‘Bhagam Bhag 2’, despite Akshay Kumar approaching him for the project. According to the filmmaker, a sequel should only be made if its story is stronger than that of the original film.He said, “That is why I never do sequels because the reason that you are doing part 2, it should be better than the part one, like with the Terminator franchise where part 2 was a better film than part 1. Unless you have a much better story, you shouldn’t do it. People always make a sequel when the first one really works, so if you don’t better it, there is no value for the franchise.”The director further argued that sequels often capitalise on the goodwill of the original rather than bringing a fresh creative vision to the screen.“What happens with sequels is that they are selling the value of the first film. They are not making a film, they are making a project, and I am not interested in projects. Even with Bhagam Bhaag, Akshay asked me ‘are you interested in directing?’ I said no. The question is that when you make a film and people appreciate it, why do you want to go and spoil that appreciation by doing a part 2. That’s why I refuse directing sequels. Let other people make sequels of my films, I am fine with that.”Priyadarshan had confirmed in July that he was no longer associated with ‘Hera Pheri 3’. This came after he had earlier expressed optimism about the project moving forward. At the time, he told Hindustan Times, “I am not associated with Hera Pheri 3 at the present. To the best of my knowledge, Hera Pheri 3 will never hit the screens due to lots of legal issues and personal conflicts. Whether I am involved or not is unimportant,”The filmmaker has also spoken about his troubled equation with producer Firoz Nadiadwala. In an interview with Mid-Day, Priyadarshan alleged that the producer had insulted him on several occasions, including making disparaging remarks about his version of the original ‘Hera Pheri’.“Firoz told Akshay, ‘You have the rights to make Hera Pheri 3, but never make it with Priyadarshan. That’s my only request.’ He has insulted me so many times. He told me that my cut of Hera Pheri (2000) looked like a poor man’s version and that he had to edit my five-hour movie,” the director said.Priyadarshan also revealed that he had initially agreed to return for the third film because he saw the potential for it to become one of the country’s biggest franchises. He said Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal had personally requested him to direct the sequel and were enthusiastic about the story he narrated to them.“I initially agreed to do the third part with Akshay because I thought I could make one of this country’s biggest franchises. If I had directed it, I could’ve made it bigger than Dhurandhar. Akshay, Suniel and Paresh requested me to make Hera Pheri 3. When I narrated the story to them, they were all excited,” he added.The sequel has faced several hurdles beyond the director’s departure. Last year, Paresh Rawal unexpectedly exited the project, prompting Akshay Kumar to file a lawsuit seeking Rs 25 crore from the actor. Rawal later confirmed that the differences had been resolved amicably and that he would return to the film.The franchise also stars Suniel Shetty, who played Shyam in the earlier films, alongside Akshay as Raju and Paresh as the much-loved Baburao Ganpatrao Apte. Despite the enduring popularity of the comedy series, the latest developments have left the fate of ‘Hera Pheri 3’ uncertain.