The ‘Hera Pheri 3’ rights row has taken a fresh turn. Cape of Good Films LLP, the production house owned by Akshay Kumar, issued a public notice in the July 4, 2026, edition of trade magazine Complete Cinema, stating it alone holds exclusive rights to produce and commercially exploit the film. The notice also warns film trade members and other businesses against entering into agreements with any third party over ‘Hera Pheri 3’ rights without the company’s sign-off.
Public notice addressed to industry stakeholders
The public notice, a screenshot of which Akshay Kumar’s fan club shared, was reported on by Bollywood Hungama. It addresses the general public as well as stakeholders across the Indian film industry, including distributors, exhibitors, cinema chains, OTT platforms, television broadcasters, digital platforms, advertisers, licensors, licensees, aggregators, syndicators and other concerned parties.The notice reads, “Notice is hereby given to the public at large, and to the Indian film trade in particular, including without limitation all distributors, exhibitors, cinema chains, OTT and streaming platforms, television broadcasters, digital platforms, advertisers, licensors, licensees, aggregators, syndicators, and all other persons and entities concerned, that Cape of Good Films LLP is the sole and exclusive holder of an irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual, and unencumbered licence to produce, distribute, market, exploit, commercialise, and otherwise deal with the cinematograph film presently titled ‘Hera Pheri 3’ (‘the Film’), together with all rights therein, across all modes, media, platforms, technologies, and formats, whether now known or hereafter devised.”It further states, “All persons and entities are hereby called upon to recognise and respect the aforementioned rights of Cape of Good Films LLP and are further cautioned against entering into any arrangement, transaction, negotiation, representation, or dealing with any third-party claiming rights in or relating to the Film without the prior written authorisation of Cape of Good Films LLP.”
Legal warning included in the notice
The notice also includes a legal warning, stating, “Any person acting contrary to this notice shall do so entirely at their own risk, and Cape of Good Films LLP reserves all rights and remedies available in law and equity.”
Priyadarshan ‘s exit and allegations against Firoz Nadiadwala
This public notice arrives amid ongoing uncertainty over Hera Pheri 3’s fate. The film has stayed in the news in recent weeks after filmmaker Priyadarshan announced he was stepping away from directing the highly anticipated comedy. He also made serious allegations against producer Firoz Nadiadwala, claiming he was repeatedly insulted during their dealings. The director added that he believed ‘Hera Pheri 3’ could have become one of India’s biggest film franchises had he been at the helm.
Priyadarshan recalls being insulted by Firoz Nadiadwala
In conversation with Mid-Day, Priyadarshan shared details of one such episode, saying, “Firoz told Akshay, ‘You have the rights to make Hera Pheri 3, but never make it with Priyadarshan. That’s my only request.’ He has insulted me so many times. He told me that my cut of Hera Pheri (2000) looked like a poor man’s version and that he had to edit my five-hour movie. I initially agreed to do the third part with Akshay because I thought I could make one of this country’s biggest franchises. If I had directed it, I could’ve made it bigger than Dhurandhar. Akshay, Suniel and Paresh requested me to make Hera Pheri 3. When I narrated the story to them, they were all excited.”
Hera Pheri 3’s troubled journey so far
‘Hera Pheri 3’ was initially set to reunite the beloved trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, with Priyadarshan at the helm. Since then, though, the project has run into multiple hurdles. Paresh Rawal briefly exited the film in May 2025 before returning to the cast, and the project has continued to be entangled in legal disputes.
