/> After Priyadarshan and Neeraj Vora who directed the first and second Hera Pheri films, it's writer-turned-director Anees Bazmi's to take on the mirthful mantle.

Unlike the Munnabhai and Krissh series which is being manoeuvred from strength to strength by one director, Hera Pheri seems to be changing hands each time. Isn't there a danger of the farce forefeiting its funny flavour?

"Not at all!" protests Anees from Hong Kong where he's shooting yet another comedy Welcome featuring Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Nana Patekar and Mallika Sherawat. "I've watched both Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri very closely and I feel I'm equipped to get the humour right.

The producer Feroz Nadiadwala is someone I'm completely comfortable with. In fact Welcome which I'm shooting right now, is produced by Ferozebhai. When he asked me to do the third Hera Pheri film I jumped at it. I'm a screenwriter. So I know how to carry the story forward."

The cast of the untitled third Hera Pheri film will remain unchanged at the top. Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal will top-line the credits. The rest of the cast is likely to be changed.

Welcome is almost complete. "It's not fully a comedy. But a romantic comedy. I got along really well with Akshay Kumar during Welcome. We'll have fun collaborating on another Hera Pheri movie," vows Anees.

Adds producer Feroz Nadiadwala emotionally, "I can't think of making a film without Akshay. Sometimes I feel we were twin brothers in our last lives. He's there in Welcome and he'll be there in the next Hera Pheri film, of course. We plan to release Welcome with a record 15,00 prints all over the world."