The much-anticipated third installment of the Hera Pheri franchise has run into a new legal roadblock, with the Madras High Court examining whether the film is even in production. The court’s observation comes after Seven Arts International Limited filed a petition asserting that it, and not producer Firoz Nadiadwala, holds the copyright to the franchise.
According to a report by Bar and Bench, Seven Arts International has argued that Nadiadwala was granted permission to make only one Hindi remake of the Malayalam cult classic Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). That remake was released as Hera Pheri in 2000. The company claims that Nadiadwala exceeded his rights by producing Phir Hera Pheri in 2006 and later selling the rights for Hera Pheri 3 to Akshay Kumar’s production banner, Cape of Good Films.
Speaking to HT City, GP Vijayakumar, Managing Director of Seven Arts International, said he acquired the complete rights to the franchise from the original producers, Adithya Films, in 2022. He stated that the original rights holders were unaware for years that an alleged violation had taken place and only realised the extent of it much later. Vijayakumar added that matters escalated when his company approached Akshay Kumar for a Hindi version and discovered that the rights had already been sold. A legal notice was subsequently sent to Nadiadwala, following which the company moved the court.
Akshay Kumar’s production house has clarified that it purchased the rights believing Nadiadwala was the rightful owner. Meanwhile, attempts to contact Nadiadwala have drawn no response, and director Priyadarshan has said he is unaware of the developments.
