Phir Hera Pheri: A Nostalgic Dive into the Cult Comedy

Phir Hera Pheri: A Sequel Worth Remembering

Phir Hera Pheri, which debuted six years after the beloved comedy Hera Pheri, successfully reunited Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar, something the previous sequel failed to achieve. For those who might have forgotten the original, this film serves as a constant reminder of its predecessor.

Writer-director Neeraj Vora deserves credit for maintaining a sense of continuity between the original and this new installment of the Hera Pheri saga, which seems to hint at further developments as it concludes on an open note. The trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal continues to navigate a maze of comedic twists and turns, with their playful banter remaining both juvenile and entertaining.

The storyline often veers into convoluted comedic territory, yet there's always a new joke to enjoy. Vora skillfully manages the characters, allowing the trio to engage in a whirlwind of absurdity that highlights the greed of the middle class.

Akshay Kumar is pivotal to the film's comedic success, energetically participating in the absurd antics without holding back. Paresh Rawal shines in his comedic role, consistently adding a touch of brilliance to nearly every scene, while Suniel Shetty serves as a calm and responsive counterpart to his co-stars.

This time, the original cast is joined by a host of quirky characters who enter and exit the narrative with little grace, creating a chaotic atmosphere reminiscent of a bustling train station. The actors dive into their roles with palpable enthusiasm, although Johnny Lever maintains a surprisingly serious demeanor, which some viewers might misinterpret as satire.

Sharad Saxena and Bhojpuri star Ravi Kishan portray a pair of stuttering gangsters, shifting the film's tone from the style of Indra Kumar to Priyadarshan, with a sprinkle of David Dhawan's influence.

Bipasha Basu also makes an appearance as a con artist and bar dancer, adding to the film's eclectic mix.

Does everything come together? The answer is both yes and no. While the film has a lively rhythm, it struggles to generate sufficient interest in the familiar characters. As is common in Hindi comedies, the narrative is cluttered with clichéd characters who appear and disappear at will. However, if positivity is a key element in comedy, Phir Hera Pheri manages to stay on the right side of decorum.

Known for his bold dialogues, Neeraj Vora has kept this film surprisingly free of vulgarity. However, expecting to laugh continuously just because Akshay, Paresh, and Suniel make a great team might lead to disappointment. The climax unfolds in a circus setting, featuring a chaotic mix of heroes, villains, henchmen, con artists, damsels in distress, a kidnapped girl, and even a gorilla.

Perhaps the sequel attempts to tackle more than it can handle, but it still delivers some memorable comedic moments.

Neeraj Vora notably advanced Priyadarshan’s vision. Producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who cared for the ailing Vora for over a year, lost his "brother and friend" on December 14, 2017.

Vora, who brought laughter both on and off the screen, was known for his writing in films like Ram Gopal Varma's Rangeela and Daud, and for his memorable comic roles in Akele Hum Akele Tum, Daud, Satya, and Welcome Back, in addition to directing Phir Hera Pheri.

He passed away at the age of 54. For a year, Nadiadwala covered all of Vora's medical expenses while he was in a coma. Vora was cared for in a special room at Nadiadwala's home, attended by a team of medical professionals, nurses, dieticians, and friends.

Reluctant to discuss his role in Vora’s care, Nadiadwala shared:

“It has been a year since I brought Neeraj to my home in Mumbai from AIIMS in Delhi, where doctors had given him only hours to live. Honestly, I don’t know what compelled me to act as I did. I couldn’t let him die alone. Neeraj had a brother, but he was unable to take on the responsibility. I had known Neeraj for 12 years, and we shared a close bond. I couldn’t abandon him. The doctors had given up on him, but I hired an air ambulance to bring him to Mumbai. I was terrified that he might pass away during the journey. Thankfully, he survived, and I believe it was divine intervention. I prepared a room for him in my house, filled with familiar items from his life, including music from his father, a classical musician. We had Hanuman Chalisa recited for him, and he was surrounded by caregivers and specialists. Under this care, Neeraj was slowly recovering, but fate had other plans.”