The producer has made his position clear on the matter. The threequel is going ahead as planned, with the original cast set to make an appearance, even if the specifics of when and how are being kept to themselves for now.
“No, he is not part of it,” Nadiadwala said, then offered what the fans were after: “Things are on track and moving in the right direction.” You could say it was a firm no with a side of reassurance, and not a word on when we’ll see it.
Where things stand now
It’s been a slow build, but the project is making headway. A new director hasn’t been put forward, but the plan is to have the core of the franchise – Akshay, Suniel and Paresh – come together again.
You have to give credit to the fans for their patience through the years of talk and no action. This latest from Nadiadwala is a way of drawing a line under the Priyadarshan rumours while showing that the wheels haven’t come off the wagon.
Why this matters to fans
There aren’t many Hindi comedies with the kind of hold on people that Hera Pheri does. It’s the dynamic between Raju, Shyam and Baburao that makes for some of the most re-watched material in the business, and that’s what’s driving the buzz for the next one.
Having the old guard back is the whole point. Put aside the fact there’s no schedule to speak of; just the thought of them on screen is enough to put the film on your mind and on every meme page.
The legacy that fuels the wait
Back in 2000, Priyadarshan made the first one, taking a cue from the Malayalam Ramji Rao Speaking, and it became a staple of Indian comedy. Then came Phir Hera Pheri in 2006 with Neeraj Vora at the helm, and the trio’s shenanigans were good as ever.
These aren’t just roles. Raju, Shyam and Baburao are a type of comic sensibility that is uniquely our own. Any new director will have to be mindful of that.
How we got here: the director shuffle
Behind the scenes, it hasn’t been a straight line. In 2018, they had Indra Kumar on board to do number three, but he moved on and they were back to square one.
Word was that Priyadarshan might be coming back, but Nadiadwala has put an end to that. He won’t say who is in for him, but the debate is over.
What to watch for next
Strip away the speculation and you’re left with this:
– Who the new director is
– Word from the cast that they are in
– When they start rolling
– A date for the release
It comes down to this: we want the same old feel without it being a rehash, and a filmmaker who gets why Baburao is so good. From what the producer is saying, they are treading with care.
In the meantime, I for one will be re-watching the old ones and working on my Baburao voice. With Nadiadwala vouching for progress and the director question answered, the next time we hear from them, it will be well worth the read.
