Is 'Hera Pheri' coming back to theatres for its silver jubilee?
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As Bollywood continues to embrace the trend of re-releases, one of its most iconic comedies, Hera Pheri, might be returning to theatres to mark its 25th anniversary. The beloved film, which first hit cinemas in March 2000, is now a cult classic, and fans are eagerly speculating about a potential re-release.
Film producer Firoz A. Nadiadwallah, who holds the rights to Hera Pheri, has addressed the rumours surrounding its silver jubilee re-release.
While he acknowledges the growing demand for the film's return, Nadiadwallah has stated that the final decision will not be made alone. 'On paper, I am the owner of the film, but morally, Akshay ji, Paresh ji, and Suniel ji also own the film as much,' he said, referring to the film's stars Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty.
He added, 'So, we'll jointly take the decision,' emphasising that the involvement of the three lead actors is crucial in making any decisions regarding the re-release.
Nadiadwallah also expressed confidence that the film's return to theatres would generate significant interest and lead to a successful box office run. 'Whenever we re-release it, it'll lead to a storm at the box office,' he remarked.
Reflecting on the longevity of Hera Pheri's popularity, he pointed out that despite no active effort to keep the film in the spotlight, it had remained relevant. 'It's been 19 years since Phir Hera Pheri (2006) was released and 25 years since Hera Pheri, yet we have not made any conscious or monetary effort to keep it alive. Yeh apne aap hua hai (This has happened on its own),' he said.
Directed by veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan and written by Neeraj Vora, Hera Pheri is a Bollywood remake of the Malayalam-language film Ramji Rao Speaking.
The film features the iconic trio of Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty in lead roles, along with an ensemble cast that includes Tabu, Gulshan Grover, Om Puri, and Asrani.
Although it initially opened to mixed reviews and achieved only moderate success at the box office, Hera Pheri has since gained a devoted following and is now regarded as one of the best comedy films in Bollywood.
The film's humour, memorable dialogues, and the chemistry between the lead actors have made it a timeless favourite. Over the years, it has become an essential part of Bollywood's comedy legacy, and fans continue to celebrate it with fondness. The demand for a re-release highlights the enduring appeal of Hera Pheri, even as newer films are constantly being introduced.
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In the great theatre of the subcontinent, many roles are played. The diplomat with his pocket square, ever so cautious, so vary of his words; the journalist with his war drum baritone and breaking news ticker; the general adorned in ranks, with his maps, military insights and strategically placed metaphors. But perhaps the most watched performers, the ones that garner the most eyeballs, are the stars, the celebrities, the legends of celluloid — those silken, sculpted, social-media-verified wonders of Indian cinema, who, in times of tension, often hold more sway over the hearts of their fans than even actual heads of state. So, when the most recent diplomatic domino between Pakistan and India began to fall, sparked by a tragic incident in Kashmir and snowballing into a full-blown chest-thumping war mongering chaos, eyes obviously turned to the borders. For the latest updates and bulletins, eyes turned to the news. And for everything in between, they turned to mobile screens. While the news cycle monopolised missile updates and water cooler conversations stoked further trepidation, it was on social media, Facebook and Instagram pages, and Threads of the world that we witnessed, some with a shrug and others with resignation, a curtain fall. The fanfare of nationalist fervour is nothing new. We have seen it before — during surgical strikes, border standoffs, even high-stake cricket matches. But this time, it felt different. The air itself had a simmering quality to it. This time, it was the power corridors of Bollywood that stood in a staunch and ignoble salute. Fan favourite stars from the lauded Bollywood pantheon, like Akshay Kumar, whose recent filmography reads like a defence ministry-sponsored resume, wasted no time. His message was swift: unwavering support for the Indian response, patriotic hashtags, and a pixel-perfect picture of the tri-coloured flag. 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