After some uncertainties regarding the actor’s involvement in the film, new reports state that Akshay is set to reprise his iconic roles in the cult comedy. The star is reportedly going above and beyond to revive the franchise.According to Bollywood Hungama, the actor was disheartened when he learned that the team was allegedly in talks withKartik Aaryan to replace him in the upcoming film ‘Hera Pheri 4.’ However, on hearing about the uproar by his fans, the superstar decided to keep his differences with producer Firoz Nadiadwala aside to be a part of the film.
The report adds that Akshay recognized that Nadiadwala was facing some financial difficulties and that both Welcome 3 and Hera Pheri 3 held the potential to become blockbusters. in order to get the work on the projects started, Akki reportedly decided to forfeit his acting fees for a profit-sharing arrangement. Should the film do as well as expected at the box office, the actor will reportedly earn a share of the revenue on a ‘predetermined ratio’.
Firoz, on the other hand, sought to retain the intellectual property rights of the franchise.
While Welcome 3 is set to commence production soon, the next Hera Pheri instalment is scheduled to go on floors in 2024.
The third part of the Hera Pheri franchise has been in the works for quite some time. It made headlines back in 2022 when Kumar revealed that he had backed out of the film as he was ‘not satisfied’ with the screenplay.
“‘Hera Pheri’ has been a part of me. A lot of people have memories and even I have good memories of it. But I feel sad that we haven’t made the third part for so many years. The film was offered to me but I was not satisfied with the screenplay and the script. I was not happy with it,” The actor said in a statement to PTI.
Kumar starred alongside veteran actor Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty in the original Hera Pheri, which was released in 2000 and went on to achieve the status of a cult comedy. It was followed by a sequel Phir Hera Pheri (2006), with Kumar reprising his role of Raju, Rawal returning as Babu Bhaiya and Shetty as Shyam.
