Will Priyadarshan direct Hera Pheri 3? Writer Rohan Shankar reacts

Writer Rohan Shankar with Priyadars

Priyadarshan's Hera Pheri 3 has been in the news for a while now. The film has been embroiled in controversy ever since it was first announced. Fans of the franchise were excited to watch Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal reunite once again. However, legal battles have left its fate in limbo.

Writer Rohan Shankar exits Hera Pheri 3

Hera Pheri 3's writer Rohan Shankar, during a conversation with News18, opened up about how director Priyadarshan won't let the crisis affect his work. Shankar revealed that he wrote Hera Pheri 3's teaser and was supposed to work on the film, but now he is no longer a part of the project due to legal complications. He said, "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."

Talking of filmmaker Priyadarshan, he said, "No, Priyan sir, because he is doing a lot of work, we have just shot Bhoot 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."

Rohan further explained, "He has to do one film, then write another, then shoot it, so he keeps on going. Now, in that structure, when will Hera Pheri happen and when will all of this be solved? If it's solved quickly, then Priyan sir will do it. I don't know what is happening there, but Priyan sir won't stop amid all of this. He might make five films before Hera Pheri even starts."

Hera Pheri 3's legal troubles

For the unversed, Hera Pheri 3 landed in unexpected legal trouble soon after it was announced. A producer from the South had moved the Madras High Court, questioning if the film could even be made, claiming that the rights to the franchise do not belong to producer Firoz Nadiadwala.

According to a Bar and Bench report, Seven Arts International Limited approached the Madras High Court, claiming that Nadiadwala was authorised to make only one Hindi remake of the Malayalam cult classic Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). That one remake was released as Hera Pheri in 2000, directed by Priyadarshan.

The production house alleged that Nadiadwala exceeded his rights by making Phir Hera Pheri in 2006 and later even selling the rights for a third film. The issue has now turned into a full-fledged legal dispute, with the court questioning if Hera Pheri 3 is legally viable.