Priyadarshan on teaming up with Pankaj tripathi after Aakrosh: 'He is one of the finest actors'

Pankaj Tripathi and Priyadarshan

When Paresh Rawal had briefly exited Hera Pheri 3, many on the internet felt Pankaj Tripathi would be a good fit for the role. Well, even as everyone's happy that Rawal has returned to Hera Pheri 3, it looks like the internet was on to something. Filmmaker Priyadarshan is teaming up with Tripathi for another film. With this, the actor-director duo will reunite after Aakrosh (2010), in which Tripathi played a hitman. "It's been over 15 years," exclaimed the National Award-winning filmmaker.

In his yet-untitled next, the actor will play a lovable, comic character. He will be joined by two actors, said Priyadarshan, who recently wrapped up the shoot of Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. "It will be an all-out comedy like Hungama [2003] or Hera Pheri [2000], with Pankaj as the pivotal character. He is one of the finest actors we have today and it will be a pleasure working with him again. I am currently writing the story and once that is finalised, I will approach the other two actors," he told mid-day.

The director shot (from left) ‘Bhooth Bhangla' and ‘Haiwaan' this year

The director will have two releases in 2026 - Bhooth Bangla, a supernatural thriller starring Akshay Kumar, Tabu, and Wamiqa Gabbi, and the action thriller Haiwaan. If things go as planned, he will take the comedy on floors by the summer. "I will begin shooting for Pankaj's movie from May, after these two movies release. It's refreshing to write a comedy after so many years as I recently helmed an action movie and a psychological thriller."

But wasn't he planning to take a short break after Haiwaan's completion? The director laughed as he admitted, "You know I cannot stay idle for long. I had this story in mind, and narrated it to Pankaj, who liked it. So, I started writing it."

A still from ‘Bhagam Bhag'

A sequel to Priyadarshan's hit comedy ‘Bhagam Bhag' (2006) is in the works. While Akshay Kumar and Akshaye Khanna are rumoured to star in ‘Bhagam Bhag 2', Priyadarshan told mid-day, "I am not a part of it. My next movie [to be shot in 2026] is the Pankaj Tripathi-starrer." Reports suggest that Raaj Shaandilyaa of ‘Dream Girl 2' (2023) fame will helm it.