I dedicate the success of Phir Hera Pheri to my dad

Meet Neeraj Vora, the erstwhile screenplay writer of Ajnabee, Josh, Kuchh Na Kaho, the story writer of Badshah, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Hulchul and the dialogue writer of Rangeela, Hera Pheri, Garam Masala and Chup Chup Ke, had made his directorial debut around six years back with Khiladi 420 which failed at the box-office.

Neeraj?s next directorial venture Phir Hera Pheri, a sequel to Heri Pheri received lot of brick bats. The media had blown out of proportion that the mentor and the prot?g? pitted against one another at the box office are at logger head. There were many unanswered question and most of it was will he raise above the prequel?.

Phir Hera Pheri has entered third week with terrific box-office collections. It is being said that additional prints were re-enforced; while Chup Chup Ke directed by Priyadarshan couldn?t put spanners to Phir Hera Pheri from becoming a box-office hit.

But ironically the question of mentor and prot?g? was never there. Meeting Neeraj Vora, post-success he says, ?Between Priyadarshan and me, we are professionals. I never assisted anybody. But yes Priyan and I had a continuous row of films (as much as 9) and most of them were box-office success. He had directed them whereas I as a writer had written the story or screenplay or dialogue. Possibly, it is the chemistry and the understanding between us that did the magic.?

Neeraj further adds, ?Priyan established a trend where stars were just part of the story. I stuck honestly to the characters of its prequel and followed this trend. Hera Pheri ends with its three main characters ? Akshay Kumar (Raju), Paresh Rawal (Babu Rao) and Suniel Shetty (Shyam) getting huge money to start life afresh. Phir Hera Pheri starts from where characters of its prequel had left. Voice over from Nana Patekar sets the mood in the beginning. Bipasha?s presence is an added glamour to the film. The songs are shot in America due to give the audiences some escapades.?

Finally proving his detractors wrong, how does he feel to bask in glory, ?I have still to feel the success? My father who was 77 years old expired on June 4. My film was released on June 9. I wanted him to see this. It is his blessing that has come true.?

How important is the writing and directing?.? Writing is the foundation. First the story is important. The skeleton has to be properly sketched. Thereafter the right parts have to be placed in their proper place of functioning. Then the narration should be simple and the viewers should identify with the character. When the writer is also the director, the execution becomes easier,? says Neeraj. But he is quicker to add, ?I do not mind directing script written by other writers too.?

His next release as writer-director is Familywala backed by Sahara?s is being readied for September release. His forthcoming film as a writer are Golmaal ? Fun Unlimited, Bhagam-Bhaag directed by Priyadarshan, Abbas Mustan?s untitled film and T-Series film directed by Priyadarshan

With PHP the writer and director Neeraj Vora has bagged few films in his kitty. He has signed up with Balaji?s, Ashtavinayak and Venus.

By the time, this feature appears, Neeraj Vora is back into action. He is going with the unit of Bhagam-Bhaag for a 22-day shoot in London. We wish him lots of luck in his forthcoming endeavor.