For millions of fans who grew up on the legendary comedic timing of Raju, Shyam, and Baburao, the latest update from the “Khiladi” himself has come as a bitter pill to swallow. Akshay Kumar has officially broken his silence on the status of Hera Pheri 3, confirming that the much-anticipated sequel has hit a major roadblock and is not happening anytime soon.
During a recent interaction with journalist Shubhankar Mishra on his YouTube channel—while promoting his latest box-office hit Bhooth Bangla—Akshay provided a transparent, albeit heartbreaking, update on the franchise. The actor admitted that while the intent to reunite the original trio remains, complex legalities have forced the project into the shadows for the foreseeable future.
When asked directly if the disputes surrounding the film had been resolved, Akshay Kumar did not mince words. He stated clearly that the project is currently at a standstill.
“Hera Pheri 3 abhi filhaal toh nahi ban rahi (The film is not happening as of now),” Akshay revealed.
The host, mirroring the sentiment of thousands of fans, expressed immediate shock. Akshay responded with equal disappointment, admitting, “Mujhe khud jhatka laga tha (I was shocked myself). But it’s okay, we made Welcome [to the Jungle]. Maybe I need to chant some mantras so that everything turns out fine. It’s definitely not happening for at least a year.”
The journey of Hera Pheri 3 has been fraught with controversy for years. While fans were initially thrilled to hear that Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty had finally agreed to return, the behind-the-scenes reality told a different story.
The project first faced a significant hurdle when Paresh Rawal reportedly exited the project, a move that stunned both the audience and Akshay, who had previously acquired certain rights to the franchise. However, the bigger obstacle emerged in the form of a copyright ownership battle. A South-based producer is in legal tussle with producer Firoz Nadiadwala, leading to a legal stalemate over who truly owns the rights to produce the third instalment.
Akshay hinted at these complexities during the interview, noting that there are “many issues” involving agreements that are effectively pushing the project backward. “There are some things I simply cannot say on camera,” he added, suggesting that the contractual and legal web is far more tangled than the public realizes.
Despite the grim news for Hera Pheri loyalists, Akshay was quick to clarify that there is no friction between the lead actors. The bond between the iconic trio—Akshay, Paresh, and Suniel—remains strong. In fact, he pointed out that fans will still get to see them share the screen in the upcoming multi-starrer Welcome to the Jungle.
“It is not that we three [actors] are not together. We are working together in Welcome to the Jungle,” he explained. This clarification has provided some solace to fans, confirming that the delay of Hera Pheri 3 is strictly a business and legal matter rather than a personal fallout between the stars.
Currently, the focus of the trade remains on Akshay Kumar’s immediate slate, particularly the success of Bhooth Bangla and the production of Welcome to the Jungle. However, the “mantra” for Hera Pheri 3 remains simple: until the copyright disputes with the South-based producers are settled and the “backward-moving” agreements are restructured, Raju, Shyam, and Baburao will remain in a cinematic hiatus.
As it stands, the “Spring Surprise” for Hera Pheri fans has turned into a summer of waiting. Akshay Kumar’s honesty has grounded the high expectations, reminding the audience that even the biggest stars are sometimes at the mercy of legal paperwork.
While the “mantras” might take time to work, the legacy of the franchise ensures that whenever the legal clouds clear, the audience will be waiting. For now, the focus shifts to May 2026 and beyond, as the industry hopes for a resolution that finally brings India’s favourite bickering trio back home.
