Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; February 5, 2014)

It has emerged that Akshay Kumar and John Abraham are in the running for the lead role in the film tentatively titled Hera Pheri 4. The third instalment of Firoz Nadiadwala’s film Hera Pheri, this film will star Akshay if directed by writer-director Neeraj Vora. However, there’s also word about Anees Bazmee directing the film, in which case John is more likely to be cast in the lead role.

Vora said that he has the film’s script ready. “If I direct the film, it will star Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal — the original cast of Hera Pheri. Of course, producer Firoz Nadiadwala will take the final call,” he said.

On the other hand, Bazmee, who is currently directing Welcome Back (another Nadiadwala film), said, “Firoz and John are very keen that I direct the film and I would love to do so. But before that I want to finish work on Welcome Back and start shooting for No Entry Mein Entry.” It may be pointed out here that the hugely successful Hera Pheri was written by Neeraj Vora and directed by Priyadarshan.

This film released in 2000 after which Phir Hera Pheri — written and directed by Neeeraj Vora — was made in 2006. The soon-to-be launched film is likely to be titled Hera Pheri 4.