Why Hera Pheri 3 Could Never Have Been Bigger Than Dhurandhar Despite Priyadarshan’s Confidence

By Bollywoodwallah

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan recently expressed confidence that had he directed Hera Pheri 3, he could have made it an even bigger film. Given his extraordinary contribution to Indian comedy through films like Hera Pheri, Hungama, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Garam Masala, there’s no denying his ability to create blockbuster entertainers.

However, if the comparison is with Dhurandhar, the reality of today’s film business suggests that Hera Pheri 3 could never have matched the scale or commercial potential of Aditya Dhar’s upcoming action spectacle.

Comedy Has a Ceiling

Comedy franchises have always enjoyed tremendous popularity in India. Hera Pheri is one of the most beloved comedy films ever made, and audiences have waited years to see Raju, Shyam and Baburao reunite.

But comedy as a genre generally has a limit when it comes to theatrical scale. Even hugely successful comedy films often don’t generate the kind of nationwide event status that large-scale action entertainers do.

Dhurandhar Has Pan-India Appeal

Dhurandhar brings together Ranveer Singh with director Aditya Dhar, whose Uri: The Surgical Strike proved that he knows how to mount high-intensity, patriotic action dramas with mass appeal.

The film’s scale, action, visual presentation and promotional potential naturally position it as a pan-India event film capable of attracting audiences across multiple demographics.

That gives Dhurandhar a commercial advantage before release itself.

Today’s Box Office Favours Event Cinema

Over the past few years, Indian cinema has increasingly rewarded films that offer a larger-than-life theatrical experience. Spectacle-driven action films have dominated the box office because audiences are willing to leave their homes only for movies that promise something impossible to replicate on a television or mobile screen.

Comedy certainly remains popular, but many viewers today are equally happy watching comedies on OTT platforms.

This changing audience behaviour makes it harder for even iconic comedy franchises to reach the same commercial heights as major action spectacles.

Nostalgia Alone Doesn’t Guarantee Bigger Numbers

The return of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal would undoubtedly have generated tremendous excitement. Nostalgia is a powerful force.

But nostalgia alone doesn’t automatically translate into record-breaking box office collections. Ultimately, a film’s opening and lifetime business depend on factors such as scale, marketing, repeat value, audience reception and competition.

Priyadarshan’s Legacy Remains Untouched

None of this diminishes Priyadarshan’s stature as one of India’s finest commercial filmmakers. If anyone understands comedy, it is him.

Had he directed Hera Pheri 3, the film may well have been funnier, emotionally richer and more satisfying than many expected.

But being the better film and being the bigger commercial phenomenon are two different things.

Final Thoughts

Based on current industry trends, Dhurandhar appears to have the ingredients of a nationwide event film with broader commercial potential than Hera Pheri 3. While Priyadarshan could certainly have elevated the quality of Hera Pheri 3, claiming that it would have been bigger than Dhurandhar remains speculative.

Until both films are actually released and audiences deliver their verdict, any comparison about which film would ultimately be “bigger” remains a matter of opinion rather than fact.