No more Housefull for Sajid Khan

“I had a three-film deal with Sajid Khan when I got him to direct Heyy Babyy (2007). And with Housefull (2010) and Housefull 2 (2012), the deal is over. Henceforth, the franchise, which is going to be announced every two years, will have a new director every time,” explains producer Nadiadwala.

Two films and over Rs 300 crore worth of business. With that kind of box-office record, it’s hardly surprising that that the comedy franchise, Housefull, is to get a third part.

What is surprising, however, is that producer Sajid Nadiadwala is willing to change a winning combination: he confirms that Sajid Khan, who directed the first two parts, will not helm part three.

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“I had a three-film deal with Sajid Khan when I got him to direct Heyy Babyy (2007). And with Housefull (2010) and Housefull 2 (2012), the deal is over. Henceforth, the franchise, which is going to be announced every two years, will have a new director every time,” explains Nadiadwala.

According to industry sources, however, other factors may have contributed to Nadiadwala’s decision. Khan will apparently be busy from September with two back-to-back films, one each with UTV and Vashu Bhagnani. He won’t have time till mid-next year for any other venture.

Nadiadwala aims to release Housefull 3 in the latter part of 2014.

“I will start shooting in January 2014,” he says.

Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh, who starred in the first two parts, will be retained for the third film as well. The rest of the cast, however, is set to change.

Shirish was shown the door too Last year, it was announced that director Shirish Kunder, who is also Sajid Khan’s brother-in-law, was going to direct Nadiawala’s big-budget film, the Salman Khan-starrer Kick. However, rumours were abuzz in the industry that since Kunder’s film Joker (2012) couldn’t rake in the moolah at the box-office, Nadiawala had shown him the door. Later, Nadiadwala announced that he himself would debut as a director with Kick.