The return of Raju, Shyam and Baburao has been one of Bollywood’s most nostalgia-fuelled promises in years, but as of February 26, 2026, Hera Pheri 3 is still stuck in limbo. Just when fans hoped the franchise would finally move from announcements to action, director Priyadarshan has made it clear that the threequel is not ready to roll, and it is not because of dates, cast, or creative differences.
Instead, the delay has everything to do with a legal tangle that has left multiple stakeholders claiming ownership, forcing the film to remain on hold until the paperwork and rights are clean.
Priyadarshan Confirms Hera Pheri 3 Will Not Go On Floors In 2026
In an interview, Priyadarshan addressed the current status of Hera Pheri 3 and confirmed that filming will not begin this year. When asked if the film would go on floors in 2026, he said, “Definitely not this year.”
Explaining what is holding the project back, the filmmaker pointed to competing claims around the film and its music rights. “Certain people said they have the rights to the film, while others claimed rights to the music,” Priyadarshan said, underlining that the movie cannot move forward until the dispute is resolved.
The legal dispute, as detailed in court-related coverage, traces back to producer G P Vijayakumar and his banner Seven Arts International approaching the Madras High Court. The core claim is that rights linked to the franchise were limited to a single remake agreement tied to the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking, which inspired Hera Pheri (2000). Seven Arts has also alleged that the rights were later transferred to Akshay Kumar’s banner Cape of Good Films for the third instalment, which is now being contested.
Priyadarshan also briefly addressed the earlier noise around Paresh Rawal’s exit and his equation with the veteran actor, striking a calm, seasoned tone. “I’ve also seen people fall out and then work together again. I don’t think there are permanent enemies in politics or cinema,” he said.
Where Hera Pheri 3 Stands Right Now
As of today, Hera Pheri 3 remains stalled, with Priyadarshan attached to direct and the franchise’s core trio expected to return: Akshay Kumar as Raju, Suniel Shetty as Shyam, and Paresh Rawal as Baburao. The film’s progress is dependent on the legal issues around rights and related clearances being settled before any firm shooting timeline can be locked.
Stay tuned with us for the latest news, Hindi box office news, Hollywood news, OTT news, the latest Bollywood news, and the latest box office news.
