It’s official! Akshay Kumar announces Hera Pheri 3 – Priyadarshan returns as director

New Delhi: Fans of Hera Pheri, rejoice! The long-awaited third instalment of the cult comedy franchise is officially in motion, and none other than Priyadarshan is taking the director’s chair. The veteran filmmaker made the announcement in the most unexpected yet delightful way—through an Instagram Story on his birthday, January 30.

Responding to Akshay Kumar’s birthday wish, Priyadarshan wrote, “Thank you so much for your wishes @akshaykumar. In return, I would like to give you a gift. I’m willing to do Hera Pheri 3. Are you ready, Akshay, @suniel.shetty & @pareshrawalofficial?” Well, it’s safe to say that fans are more than ready!

Hera Pheri 3

It’s been over two decades since Hera Pheri (2000) hit theatres and unexpectedly became one of Bollywood’s most beloved comedies. The film’s characters—Raju, Shyam, and Baburao Ganpatrao Apte—are now pop culture icons, with their dialogues still ruling social media in the form of memes.

Akshay Kumar, who has long expressed his excitement for a third instalment, recently told Pinkvilla that he’s eager to return to the world of Hera Pheri. “Even after watching it, we found it funny, but we had no idea characters like Babu Bhaiya, Raju, and Shyam would become such legends,” he said. The actor hinted that if all goes well, production could begin this year.

Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan movies

The reunion of Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar is a big deal for fans, considering their track record of delivering back-to-back hits. From Hera Pheri to Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), Bhagam Bhag (2006), and Khatta Meetha (2010), the duo has mastered the art of chaos-driven comedy.

The buzz around the film has been strong ever since an alleged Hera Pheri 3 mock shoot picture surfaced in 2023. However, there have been no concrete updates—until now. With Priyadarshan’s official announcement, the project is finally moving from speculation to reality.

Priyadarshan & Akshay’s horror-comedy

Before they bring back Hera Pheri, Priyadarshan and Akshay are working on another exciting project—Bhoot Bangla, a supernatural comedy featuring Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Mithila Palkar and Wamiqa Gabbi. Produced by Ekta Kapoor, the film is set to release on April 2, 2026.

Akshay recently shared a fun behind-the-scenes moment from the set, joking about working with “ghosts, both real and unpaid extras.” His post read, “Happy Birthday, Priyan Sir! What better way to celebrate than by spending the day on a haunted set? Thank you for being a mentor, and the only person who can make chaos look like a masterpiece.”