23 Years of Hera Pheri EXCLUSIVE: Firoz Nadiadwala reveals that the response to the film wasn’t very encouraging initially: “One distributor called and told me, ‘Sir, bahut kharab response hai. Picture gayi’”

By Fenil Seta -

March 31, 2023 - 12:01 PM IST

Hera Pheri (2000) has become an indispensable part of our lives today. The comic caper, starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal and Tabu, is considered one of the greatest films of Indian cinema today. In the world of memes, it has achieved iconic status and is a major reason why Hera Pheri 3, expected to go on floors soon, is arguably the most awaited Bollywood film.

23 Years of Hera Pheri EXCLUSIVE: Firoz Nadiadwala reveals that the response to the film wasn’t very encouraging initially: “One distributor called and told me, ‘Sir, bahut kharab response hai. Picture gayi’”

However, many would be shocked to know that the response to Hera Pheri initially wasn’t very encouraging. As the film completes 23 years today, Bollywood Hungama exclusively brings to you fascinating trivia, which was narrated to us by none other than producer Firoz Nadiadwala.

Firoz Nadiadwala said, “Hera Pheri was released on a Friday. A day before, till midnight, Akshay ji, Paresh ji, Suniel, Neeraj ji (writer Neeraj Vora) and I were shooting for the trailer in the lawn of my bungalow! Woh zamana tha jab promos aate the MTV ya Sony, Star aur Zee ke channels pe. And this was a time when we would shoot on film. So we would edit, develop it and deliver it to the channels by Friday night so that they’ll air it on Sunday.”

Firoz continued, “So on Friday, the film was released and I was busy cutting the promo in the Prime Focus office. I had not slept the whole night and had to work 7-8 hours more. At 5:00 pm, one distributor called from North India. He told me, ‘Sir, bahut kharab response hai. Picture gayi.’ I was shocked. I had to collect myself. I went back into the studio to finish work as it had to be done, regardless of the fate of the film.”

But then, things changed within a few hours. Firoz Nadiadwala excitedly shared, “At 7:30 pm, I got a call from an exhibitor from the Delhi/UP circuit. He said, ‘Aapko pata hai na picture ke saath kya hua. It is unbelievable’ I replied, ‘Chhodo yaar. Mujhe malum hai. Mujhe mera kaam karne do’. The exhibitor then said, ‘Aap aa ke dekho. Dialogue nahi sunaai de rahe hai’. I retorted, ‘Kaise sunaayi denge dialogues public ko jab public theatre mein hi nahi hai’ (laughs)! That exhibitor was shocked and asked me, ‘Aapka dimaag kharab ho gaya hai kya?’ He then revealed that those who saw the film in the 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm shows have come again to watch the film in the 6:00 pm show. That exhibitor also told me that the repeat viewers have persuaded their friends or family members to join and they’d tell them ‘Abhi dekhna kya dialogue aane waala hai’.”

Firoz smiled as he signed off, “I couldn’t believe my ears. I then called Gaiety-Galaxy. Even there, the reactions were the same. I just looked up and thanked God!”

Hera Pheri’s success led Firoz Nadiadwala to make Phir Hera Pheri (2006). This film also worked big time and has been kept alive by the memes.