Overview
Phir Hera Pheri is a 2006 Indian Hindi-language comedy film directed by Neeraj Vora and produced by Firoz Nadiadwala under the banner Base Industries Group. It is the sequel to the 2000 cult comedy Hera Pheri, which was directed by Priyadarshan. The film reunites the principal cast of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, reprising their roles as Raju, Shyam and Baburao Ganpatrao Apte respectively.
Key facts
| Title | Phir Hera Pheri |
|---|---|
| Director | Neeraj Vora |
| Producer | Firoz Nadiadwala |
| Banner | Base Industries Group |
| Writers | Neeraj Vora (screenplay), Firoz Nadiadwala (story) |
| Music | Himesh Reshammiya |
| Cinematography | Ravi Yadav |
| Lead cast | Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Bipasha Basu, Rimi Sen |
| Release date | 9 June 2006 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Predecessor | Hera Pheri (2000) |
Background
The original Hera Pheri (2000), directed by Priyadarshan, was an adaptation of the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking (1989). It became a sleeper hit and developed a strong following over the years, with its characters and dialogues entering popular culture. Following its success, producer Firoz Nadiadwala commissioned a sequel, this time helmed by writer-director Neeraj Vora, who had been associated with the original as a writer.
Plot summary
The film picks up after the events of Hera Pheri. Raju, Shyam and Baburao, now wealthy following the ransom episode of the first film, are drawn into a fraudulent investment scheme promising to double their money in twenty-one days. The plot escalates when the trio borrow money from a local don, Tiwari, and lose it to a conwoman named Anuradha. The narrative weaves together themes of greed, mistaken identity and slapstick misadventure as the trio attempt to recover the lost amount.
Cast
- Akshay Kumar as Raju
- Suniel Shetty as Shyam
- Paresh Rawal as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte
- Bipasha Basu as Anuradha
- Rimi Sen as Anuradha (alternate identity)
- Johnny Lever as Munnabhai
- Rajpal Yadav as Pappu Pager
- Manoj Joshi as Tiwari
- Asrani as Totla Seth
Music
The soundtrack was composed by Himesh Reshammiya with lyrics by Sameer. Tracks such as "Mauka Mauka" and the title song received airplay around the time of release. The album was issued by T-Series.
Release and reception
The film was released theatrically on 9 June 2006. It performed well at the Indian box office, drawing audiences on the strength of the franchise and the returning trio. Critical response was mixed: while the comic chemistry of the leads and Paresh Rawal's performance as Baburao were praised, several reviewers felt the screenplay and direction did not match the tightness of Priyadarshan's original. Despite this, the film has retained a devoted fan base and many of its sequences and dialogues, particularly those involving Baburao, have become widely circulated internet memes in India.
Sequel and legacy
A third instalment, tentatively titled Hera Pheri 3, has been the subject of repeated public announcements, casting changes and production delays since the late 2000s. The franchise's enduring popularity in meme culture has kept interest in a sequel alive among audiences. Phir Hera Pheri is frequently cited as a notable example of a Hindi comedy sequel that, while not universally acclaimed at release, gained cult status over time through home video, television reruns and social media.