The ‘Hera Pheri 3’ saga just got another twist. Akshay Kumar’s production banner, Cape of Good Films LLP, has put out a public notice declaring itself the one and only rights holder of the film.
The notice appeared in the July 4, 2026 issue of trade publication Complete Cinema. A screenshot later did the rounds after being shared by Akshay Kumar’s fan club, with Bollywood Hungama picking up the story.
🚨🚨BREAKING ;—
Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films issues public notice; asserts exclusive worldwide rights over Hera Pheri 3; cautions industry against dealing with third partiesNOTICE COPY 👇👇👇#AkshayKumar #HeraPheri3 pic.twitter.com/smepp7lvlF
— Akkian(Viratian) by heart (@DevoteeAkki) July 5, 2026
Who exactly was this notice for
This wasn’t some quiet, low-key statement. It was addressed to the general public, but also to virtually every corner of the film industry that could possibly be involved.
That list included distributors, exhibitors, cinema chains, OTT and streaming platforms, TV broadcasters, digital platforms, advertisers, licensors, licensees, aggregators, and syndicators — essentially everyone with a stake in how a film gets made, sold, or shown.
The message itself was straightforward: Cape of Good Films LLP says it holds the sole and exclusive rights — described as irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual, and unencumbered — to produce, distribute, market, exploit, and commercialise Hera Pheri 3.
And the notice didn’t leave any wiggle room either. It claims this covers every right tied to the film, across any mode, media, platform, technology, or format — whether that format exists today or gets invented down the line.
A warning to anyone thinking otherwise
The notice didn’t stop at simply asserting ownership. It went further, calling on everyone in the industry to acknowledge and respect Cape of Good Films LLP’s rights.
More specifically, it warned people against striking any deal, negotiation, or arrangement with any third party who claims to hold rights to the film — unless that third party has written permission from Cape of Good Films LLP first.
There was a legal sting in the tail too. The notice states that anyone who ignores this warning does so entirely at their own risk, and that Cape of Good Films LLP reserves every right and remedy available to it under law.
Why now
The timing isn’t random. Hera Pheri 3 has been surrounded by uncertainty for weeks now, largely because director Priyadarshan announced he was walking away from the project.
And he didn’t go quietly. Priyadarshan has accused producer Firoz Nadiadwala of repeatedly insulting him during their time working together on the film.
Priyadarshan’s version of events
In a conversation with Mid-Day, Priyadarshan laid out specifics. He claims Nadiadwala once told Akshay Kumar outright that he owned the rights to make Hera Pheri 3 — but that it should never happen with Priyadarshan directing.
According to Priyadarshan, this wasn’t a one-off. He says he was insulted on multiple occasions, including a jab at his original cut of Hera Pheri back in 2000 — which he claims Nadiadwala dismissed as looking like a “poor man’s version,” while also claiming he’d been forced to trim down what was originally a five-hour-long film.
Even with all that friction, Priyadarshan says he still agreed to come on board for the third film — because he genuinely believed Hera Pheri 3 could become one of India’s biggest franchises.
A franchise that just can’t catch a break
Hera Pheri 3 was originally supposed to bring the iconic trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal back together, with Priyadarshan in the director’s chair. But the project has been hit with delay after delay.
Paresh Rawal actually stepped away from the film briefly in May 2025, before eventually returning to the cast. On top of the cast drama, the project has also been stuck in ongoing legal battles — pushing back what was supposed to be a big, nostalgic comeback for fans of the franchise.