The much-loved comedy franchise Hera Pheri is making headlines again as fans eagerly await the third installment. The film, which became a cult classic in the 2000s, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary on March 31. As excitement builds, director Priyadarshan confirmed that Hera Pheri 3 will begin production in 2026, featuring the original star cast—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. Let’s take a look at what Priyadarshan had to say about the upcoming film and the return of the iconic trio.
The Legacy of Hera Pheri
For those who may not know, Hera Pheri is a remake of the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking. Directed by Siddique-Lal, the Bollywood version was brought to life by Priyadarshan. In an interview with ETV, Priyadarshan shared that while the film is inspired by the original, nearly 30% of the content was changed to fit the Bollywood style. This alteration helped shape the film into one of the most loved comedy films of its time, setting a trend for similar films in the industry.
The Pressure to Reunite
The idea of bringing back the original cast for Hera Pheri 3 has been buzzing for some time. Priyadarshan admitted that the pressure to reunite the iconic trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—was just too strong to ignore. The immense fan following and the success of the previous films only added to the expectations surrounding the third part. Priyadarshan revealed that he plans to start working on the script in 2026, acknowledging that it will be a challenging task. He said, “There will be too many expectations from the third part.”
Confirmation of the Original Cast
The excitement surrounding Hera Pheri 3 reached new heights when Priyadarshan shared an update on his social media in celebration of his 68th birthday. Replying to a congratulatory message from Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan hinted that he was ready to reunite with the original stars for the third film. He wrote, “Thank you so much for your wishes, Akshay. In return, I would like to give you a gift. I’m willing to do Hera Pheri 3, Are you ready @akshaykumar, @SunielVShetty and @SirPareshRawal?”
The Cast of the Original Film
The first Hera Pheri featured Akshay Kumar as Raju, Suniel Shetty as Shyam (Ghanshyam), and Paresh Rawal as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, with a stellar supporting cast that included Tabu, Om Puri, Gulshan Grover, and Mukesh Khanna. The film follows the story of three characters—two tenants and a landlord—who are desperate for money. When a ransom call comes through on their phone line due to a cross connection, they hatch a plan to claim the money for themselves.
The Sequel: Phir Hera Pheri
After the success of the first film, Priyadarshan’s Hera Pheri got a sequel, Phir Hera Pheri, released six years later. Directed by Neeraj Vora, the sequel brought back the same beloved characters—Raju, Shyam, and Baburao. In this installment, the trio gets duped by a fraudster, continuing their misadventures in a hilarious new plot. With a fresh twist, Phir Hera Pheri built upon the foundation laid by the first film.
What to Expect from Hera Pheri 3
With the return of the original cast, Hera Pheri 3 promises to be an exciting addition to the series. Fans are hoping for the same level of humor and iconic moments that made the first two films so memorable. However, Priyadarshan has also emphasized that the new movie will come with its own set of challenges, as the expectations are sky-high.
As fans eagerly wait for the third chapter of this iconic series, we can only hope that it lives up to the legacy of Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri.
