Fans of the Hera Pheri franchise were recently disappointed after producer Firoz Nadiadwala confirmed that Priyadarshan would not be directing Hera Pheri 3. The filmmaker later verified the development himself, putting an end to speculation surrounding his involvement in the long-awaited comedy sequel.The update came as a setback for fans, especially since the Akshay Kumar-Priyadarshan combination has delivered several memorable comedy films over the years. Excitement around the duo had already been revived with Bhooth Bangla, which marked their reunion after several years. They are also collaborating on the upcoming film Haiwaan, co-starring Saif Ali Khan.Now, a fresh report suggests that Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan are preparing to join forces once again for what will be their ninth film together. Comedy thriller to begin by the end of the year According to a report by Mid-Day, Priyadarshan's next directorial after exiting Hera Pheri 3 will be a comedy thriller featuring Akshay Kumar in the lead. The film will reportedly be produced by Tips and is expected to go on floors towards the end of 2026.A source told the publication, "Priyadarshan has written the story, which is a combination of fun and thrills. The film will roll by the year-end, most likely in December. Akki and he are excited about the project because though he has attempted comedies and thrillers in the past, he feels this belongs to a genre that he hasn't attempted before. He will develop the screenplay with