The time to laugh is upon us.

Bollywood hasn't laughed as hard in decades as it did with Priyadarshan's [Images] Hera Pheri (2000), with Paresh Rawal [Images], Akshay Kumar [Images] and Sunil Shetty as the hilarious and unforgettable Baburao, Raju and Shyam. 

This Friday, the actors reprise their roles in Phir Hera Pheri, with Bipasha Basu [Images] and Rimii Sen, and writer Neeraj Vora stepping in as director. Raja Sen caught up with him to find out more. Excerpts:

For some reason, these characters really caught the imagination of the public. Why do you think that is?

The basic appeal in these three characters is simple. First of all, they are very identifiable. They have the same human qualities and are not larger than life. Everybody wants to have a better life. Everybody's dreaming of a life without debt, especially when it's easy to get into it.

Our three characters simply want to lead a life that is a little better. Even if you say crime never pays, somewhere they feel it pays a little. That is the attitude they have, and they are very lovable because they are very believable. The more they try and be smarter, the more you feel they are quite innocent � not foolish, but innocent characters.

Akshay Kumar talks Hera Pheri

The first film was a staggering hit. Is there a lot of pressure?

It's not just this film; we always have that pressure with every release. But, with this film � and this might be a slippery thing to say � as my characters are already so well liked, I feel we are already in that hit zone. The tricky part is, when you make a sequel � actually I would rather call it a series, like Charlie Chaplin or Laurel and Hardy, for example � , it won't work if you change it drastically. If you make it exactly like the first, it will be boring. You have to create a balance -- giving something new while retaining the taste of the old. That is what I have attempted.

In the original, you adapted existing characters into a Hindi-speaking context. With this one, you take them forward yourself. Is it difficult to write a story with someone else's characters?

The plot may have been adapted, but the characters have always been mine. And that is what I am taking forward.

Where exactly is the story headed this time?

In the first part, they kept thinking that a little money would help them get rid of debt. In the second part, after getting the money, they thought they were happy. But money is not the way to happiness. After you get a little money, you want a little more. It never ends. And so, at one point, they want to double that money. And then that money is� gone! They are back to square one. Back to being in debt, they are forced to do something tricky once again.

Pink times for the Hera Pheri gang

Bipasha and Rimii also star as romantic interests. Is there a more prominent romantic angle to the film this time?

The girls are not just romantic angles. They are also part of the plot, which makes it more interesting. They happen to be very important factors in the series of events, and are crucial to why things happen a certain way.

There are a lot of comedians in the film this time. Do you think there's a danger of too many comic actors in too little a space?

No. The story demands so many plots and characters. It's a little thicker than the first one.

You have already said there will be a Part 3. Are you serious?

Not just Part 3, there will be a part 7 too! What I'm trying to tell you is it is a series, not a sequel. It's not the same story that goes on, it's the same characters. And they can do anything, because they are already loved and appreciated. They don't have to be introduced to the audience again, which makes things easier for us. It also becomes challenging, coming up with new things these guys can do.