The long-awaited sequel Hera Pheri 3, starring Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty reprising their iconic roles as Raju, Baburao, and Shyam, remains stuck in limbo due to an escalating legal battle over franchise rights. Producer Vijay Kumar (associated with Seven Arts International) has accused Firoz Nadiadwala of deliberately stalling court proceedings, further delaying the film’s production.
The Core of the Dispute
The controversy centers on intellectual property (IP) ownership of the Hera Pheri franchise, which originated as a Hindi adaptation of the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). Vijay Kumar claims his company holds 100% rights to the IP, asserting that Firoz Nadiadwala was granted permission only for the 2000 film Hera Pheri (directed by Priyadarshan). He alleges Nadiadwala exceeded those rights by producing Phir Hera Pheri (2006) without authorization and later attempting to announce and sell rights for Hera Pheri 3.Vijay Kumar stated in recent interviews that Nadiadwala made the second film without legitimate rights and is now pushing for the third installment without permission. The matter is being heard in the Madras High Court, where an IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) case was filed after legal notices went unheeded.
Vijay Kumar’s Latest Allegations
In fresh statements reported on March 22-23, 2026, Vijay Kumar accused Firoz Nadiadwala of tactics to prolong the legal process. He said: “He has appeared in court but continues to delay proceedings… The only issue is the delay from their side, avoiding appearances and prolonging the process.” Vijay emphasized confidence in the court’s stance, noting that the trial has commenced and that persistent non-cooperation could lead to a strong judicial view in his favor.
-By Manoj H