Hera Pheri 3 has landed in a major legal spotlight after a South-based production house moved the Madras High Court, accusing producer Firoz Nadiadwala of violating copyright agreements linked to the comedy franchise. The development adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to one of Bollywood’s most awaited sequels, even as the film has been in the news for its stop start progress and casting related chatter.
According to Bar and Bench, Seven Arts International Limited has filed a petition alleging that it holds the copyright to the franchise, not Nadiadwala. The petition claims Nadiadwala was authorised to make only one Hindi remake of the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), which was adapted into Hera Pheri (2000) by director Priyadarshan. The petitioner has further alleged that Nadiadwala went on to produce Phir Hera Pheri (2006) and later sold the rights for Hera Pheri 3 to Akshay Kumar’s production banner, Cape of Good Films.
What the petition claims about Hera Pheri franchise rights
Outlook reported that the Madras High Court questioned Nadiadwala on whether Hera Pheri 3 is being made at all, as the dispute over the underlying rights plays out. The core allegation is that the original authorisation extended only to one Hindi version, and not to sequels, prequels, or use of the characters beyond that scope.
GP Vijayakumar, MD of Seven Arts International, also spoke to HT City and said, “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.”
Explaining why the issue was not pursued earlier, Vijayakumar told HT City, “While the first film was directed by Priyadarshan, who we are close to, the second film was directed by Neeraj Vora, and the copyright holders at the time didn’t realise what happened.”
He further added, “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.”
Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films and Priyadarshan respond
Akshay Kumar’s production house and the spokesperson said they purchased the rights from Nadiadwala believing he owned them. Meanwhile, director Priyadarshan, who is expected to helm Hera Pheri 3, told the publication that he has “no idea” about the legal issue.
With the matter now before the Madras High Court, the next hearings and court observations are expected to be closely tracked, given the franchise’s box office legacy and the high stakes around Hera Pheri 3.
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