Priyadarshan Claims Firoz Nadiadwala Derailed Hera Pheri 3 With Personal Insult And Dispute

Filmmaker Priyadarshan has confirmed that he will no longer direct Hera Pheri 3, alleging that repeated insults from producer Firoz Nadiadwala led to his decision to step away from the much-anticipated comedy sequel. The director also claimed that he had envisioned turning the franchise into one of India's biggest cinematic successes and believed the third installment could have surpassed the scale of Dhurandhar.

Speaking to Mid-Day, Priyadarshan alleged that Nadiadwala had repeatedly undermined him over the years. Recounting one such incident, the filmmaker claimed that the producer had told Akshay Kumar that while the actor had the rights to make Hera Pheri 3, he should not make the film with Priyadarshan. The director said he felt insulted by the remark and described it as one of several instances that strained their professional relationship.

Priyadarshan further alleged that Nadiadwala had criticised his work on the original Hera Pheri, telling him that his version looked like "a poor man's version" and claiming he had to edit the director's reported five-hour cut of the film. According to Priyadarshan, these comments contributed to his decision to distance himself from the project despite his initial enthusiasm for returning to the franchise.

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The filmmaker said he had originally agreed to direct Hera Pheri 3 after discussions with Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, who encouraged him to take charge of the sequel. He revealed that he had narrated the story to the three actors and that they were excited about the direction in which the film was headed. Priyadarshan maintained that he saw significant potential in expanding the franchise and believed it could have become one of the country's biggest commercial film series.

Hera Pheri, released in 2000, remains one of Bollywood's most celebrated comedy films and has developed a strong cult following over the years. The long-awaited third installment has generated considerable interest among fans, with several developments surrounding its cast, production, and creative team making headlines in recent months. Priyadarshan's latest remarks add another layer of uncertainty to the future of the project, although there has been no public response from Firoz Nadiadwala to the allegations at the time of writing.

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