August 28, 2010: Producer Feroz Nadiadwala waited four years for Akshay Kumar to return to the third film in the Hera Pheri series before they parted ways because of the price factor. With Akshay gone, Feroz had to change the entire cast of Hera Pheri.

Now Abhishek plays Akshay Kumar’s role. Nana Patekar has stepped into Paresh Rawal’s role, and Sanjay Dutt plays Suniel Shetty’s part.

This, according to Nadiadwala, would remain the lineup of actors for the Hera Pheri films to come.

The parting with Akshay over Hera Pheri has left Feroz distressed. “I first started discussing the third Hera Pheri movie with Akshay in 2006. I never wanted to make it without him. It’s sad that we couldn’t come to an agreement. Akshay is like a brother. But I can’t afford him. I hope we work together again very soon.”

Feroz is delighted with the script that Anees Bazmi has come up with for the new Hera Pheri film. “It’s going to be one of the best comedies in living memory,” promises Feroz.

-- Subhash K Jha / Real Bollywood