“Hera Pheri 3” has faced legal trouble after Seven Arts International filed a suit in the Madras High Court claiming that Firoz Nadiadwala does not own the rights to the franchise. The company claims that he exceeded his permission by making Phir Hera Pheri and selling the sequel rights. Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films reportedly bought them unknowingly.
Fans eager to see the return of Raju, Shyam and Baburao may have to wait a little longer as Heri Pheri 3 has run into some legal trouble. A producer from South India approached the case Madras High Courtclaiming that Firoz Nadiadwala did not own the rights to the franchise and questioning whether a sequel could actually be made.
“Hera Pheri 3” is facing legal trouble
A Bar and Bench report reveals that Seven Arts International Limited has filed a suit in the Madras High Court, claiming that Firoz Nadiadwala had permission for only one Hindi adaptation of the Malayalam hit ‘Ramji Rao Speaking’ (1989). This adaptation became Hera Pheri in 2000, directed by Priyadarshan. The company further claims that Nadiadwala went beyond the agreed rights by making ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ in 2006 and then transferring the rights for the third part.
The case has now turned into a major legal battle, with the court reportedly examining whether “Hera Pheri 3” can legally go ahead given the current situation.
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“Hera Pheri 3” conflict explained by Seven Arts
Speaking to HT City GP Vijayakumar, Managing Director of Seven Arts International, shared his perspective on how this controversy arose. He stated, “In 2022, I bought all the rights of the Hera Pheri franchise from the original producers of Ramji Rao Speaking, Adithya Films.
They informed me that Firoz Nadiadwala has got the rights to make one Hindi version of the film. But he made a second version, which was released in 2006.
He has no right to create a sequel or prequel or use the characters.”
The controversy regarding “Hera Ferry 3” became known later
When asked why the matter was not taken up earlier, Vijayakumar said that the problem arose only much later. He said that while the first film was directed by Priyadarshan, with whom they are close, the second film was directed by Neeraj Voraand the copyright owners at the time did not understand what had happened. The original producers and Vijayakumar realized much later that Nadiadwala had committed irregularities and fraud. At the time they thought, let it go. They decided to release the next version in Hindi. They approached the actor Akshay Kumar for the same and that’s when they came to know that Nadiadwala had sold the rights to Akshay’s production house Cape of Good Films.
They sent a formal notice to Nadiadwala on how he can sell what does not belong to him.
Hera Pheri 3 Reaction by Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan
According to reports, Akshay Kumar’s production company, Cape of Good Films, mentioned that they had acquired the franchise rights from Firoz Nadiadwala, suggesting that he was the actual owner. On the other hand, director Priyadarshan, who is reportedly set to helm Hera Pheri 3, gave a terse reply when approached saying, “I don’t know.”Disclaimer: The information in this report is based on court hearings as reported by an outside source. The details provided represent the assertions of the parties involved and are not proven facts. The case is ongoing, the final verdict has not been passed. The publication does not confirm the truth of the allegations.
