Akshay and Priyadarshan’s Ninth Film Is Already Must-Watch

Sometimes a door closes and a much more interesting window opens — and that seems to be exactly what is happening with Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan right now. After the disappointment of Priyadarshan stepping away from Hera Pheri 3, the filmmaker has confirmed that his next directorial will be a brand new project with Akshay, and it will mark their ninth film together. Nine films. That is a creative partnership that most directors and actors in Bollywood can only dream of.

Let us be honest about the Hera Pheri 3 situation for a moment. Fans had poured years of hope into that sequel, and the news of Priyadarshan’s exit stung. The original Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri are not just films — they are cultural touchstones for an entire generation of South Asian viewers across India, Pakistan, the Gulf, and the diaspora in the UK, Canada, and Australia. Those films live rent-free in everyone’s heads, and the idea of completing the trilogy without the original director felt like a compromise many were not willing to accept. But if there is a silver lining, it is this: Priyadarshan appears to have redirected that creative energy into something entirely new.

What makes this ninth collaboration particularly intriguing is the genre. A comedy thriller is territory that Priyadarshan describes as feeling genuinely fresh to him — and this is a filmmaker who has been working for decades across Malayalam and Hindi cinema. The fact that someone with his experience is excited about exploring new creative ground says something real. This is not a cash-grab reunion. It sounds like two industry veterans who genuinely enjoy working together and want to challenge themselves in the process.

The involvement of Rohan Shankar in developing the screenplay is also worth noting. Shankar worked with Priyadarshan on Bhooth Bangla, which itself represented a much-anticipated reunion between Akshay and the director after a long gap. Having that same creative trust continue into this new project suggests there is already a working dynamic in place, which often translates well on screen. Tips producing the film adds another layer of confidence — the banner has a strong track record with commercial entertainers.

For audiences, the timing of all this matters too. Bhooth Bangla will give everyone a chance to see whether the Akshay-Priyadarshan magic has held up before this next film arrives. If that film lands well, the appetite for their comedy thriller will only grow. And with Haiwaan also in the pipeline alongside Saif Ali Khan, Akshay seems to be entering a genuinely exciting phase of his career — one where the choices feel more deliberate and the collaborations more meaningful.

The South Asian diaspora audience in particular has always had a soft spot for Priyadarshan’s brand of comedy — fast, layered, slightly chaotic, but anchored in sharp writing. A comedy thriller, if done right, could tap into that same nostalgia while offering something new enough to feel relevant in today’s streaming-driven entertainment landscape.

Hera Pheri 3 will happen with or without Priyadarshan, but this ninth film might end up being the collaboration fans treasure more. So here is the question — are you more excited about Hera Pheri 3 continuing without Priyadarshan, or would you rather see what he and Akshay Kumar create together from scratch?