Hera Pheri 3 back in legal trouble over copyright issues!

Hera Pheri 3’s journey has been as chaotic as its comedy: legal battles over film rights, production delays from technical disputes between Akshay Kumar and the makers, and a dramatic exit-and-return of Paresh Rawal have left fans both amused and anxious for the cult sequel’s eventual release.

With Paresh Rawal returning to the franchise, the film briefly appeared back on track. However, fresh developments suggest the project has once again stumbled - this time over ownership rights.

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Courtroom Clouds Gather

According to an exclusive Hindustan Times report, the Madras High Court has raised serious questions for producer Firoz Nadiadwala, asking whether Hera Pheri 3 is even legitimately in production. The complication stems from claims by Seven Arts International, which asserts that it - not Nadiadwala - owns the franchise copyright.

The Origin of the Dispute

As reported by Bar and Bench, Seven Arts International Limited argues that Nadiadwala was authorised to produce only one Hindi adaptation of the Malayalam classic Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). That remake became Priyadarshan’s Hera Pheri in 2000. Despite this, he produced Phir Hera Pheri in 2006 and later sold the third film’s rights to Akshay Kumar’s banner.

Seven Arts International’s Stand

GP Vijayakumar, MD of Seven Arts International, told HTCity exclusively, “I bought the entire rights for the Hera Pheri franchise from the original producers of 'Ramji Rao Speaking', Adithya Films in 2022. They informed me that Firoz Nadiadwala had been given the right to make one Hindi version of the film. But he made a second version which released in 2006. He is not authorised to make a sequel or prequel, or use the characters.”

According to Vijayakumar, the delay in initiating legal action stemmed from the circumstances surrounding the earlier films. The first installment, directed by Priyadarshan, shared a close association with the stakeholders, while the second, helmed by Neeraj Vora, went ahead without the copyright holders fully realising the implications. The alleged violation and breach by Nadiadwala only came to light much later.

Further, he added, "At the time we thought jo ho gaya, ho gaya. We will produce the next version in Hindi. We approached actor Akshay Kumar for the same and that’s when we got to know that Nadiadwala has sold the rights to Akshay’s production house Cape of Good Films. We sent Nadiadwala a legal notice on how he could sell something he did not own. I had no option but to move the Court.”

Silence and Shrugs

Akshay Kumar’s production house has clarified that it purchased the rights believing Nadiadwala to be the rightful owner. Attempts to reach Nadiadwala reportedly received no response. Director Priyadarshan, who is expected to helm the film, reacted tersely, “No idea”.

Must Read: Hera Pheri 3 update: Paresh Rawal spills beans on shooting plans

The Waiting Game

For a franchise known for chaos, confusion and comic timing, Hera Pheri 3 seems to be living its own off-screen drama. What should have been a nostalgic reunion of Raju, Shyam and Baburao has instead turned into a saga of delays, disputes and legal knots.

Until the legal dust settles, Hera Pheri 3 remains stuck between contracts and courtrooms. For fans, the biggest question isn’t about punchlines anymore - it’s whether Baburao’s gang will return at all.