The anticipation surrounding the third installment of the iconic comedy franchise ‘Hera Pheri’ has intensified. Fans eagerly awaited the return of the original trio: Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, and Paresh Rawal.
Entertainment: ‘Hera Pheri 3’ had been highly anticipated for a long time, given the phenomenal box office success of the first two films. Audiences were particularly excited to see Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Sunil Shetty recreate their on-screen magic. Filming had even begun, but then Paresh Rawal unexpectedly decided to leave the project, creating a major setback.
Following this controversy, reports emerged that Akshay Kumar had filed a lawsuit against Paresh Rawal, accusing him of causing financial damage to the film, and also sent him a legal notice.
Paresh Rawal Abruptly Exits, Akshay Takes Strong Action
According to media reports, Paresh Rawal abandoned ‘Hera Pheri 3’ mid-production, negatively impacting filming and overall production. Consequently, Akshay Kumar, through his production house ‘Cape of Good Films’, sent Paresh Rawal a legal notice demanding ₹25 crore (approximately $3 million USD). It's reported that Rawal had signed a contract and received an advance payment, and filming had already commenced. Despite this, his departure has reportedly caused the producers significant financial losses.
Production Team Disappointed by ‘Unprofessional Conduct’
Sources indicate the production team is extremely disappointed with Paresh Rawal's decision. The legal notice clearly states that if Rawal did not wish to participate, he should have declined earlier. Receiving the signing amount and starting filming, then leaving the project, is considered ‘unprofessional behavior.’
A legal source connected to the film told the media that this isn't merely a contractual issue, but also concerns a major brand and the sentiments of its fans. Paresh Rawal's decision has caused not only financial but also emotional and commercial damage.
Paresh Rawal Clarifies – No Creative Differences
Amidst the controversy, Paresh Rawal took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to clarify, stating that his decision to leave ‘Hera Pheri 3’ was not due to any creative differences. He expressed deep respect and trust in director Priyadarshan. However, he did not reveal the actual reason behind his decision, fueling further speculation.
This dispute has gained significant attention because Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal are one of Bollywood's most beloved onscreen pairs. They have collaborated on numerous successful films, including ‘Garam Masala’, ‘Welcome’, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, ‘Hera Pheri’, and ‘Phir Hera Pheri.’ They are also set to appear together in the upcoming film ‘Bhoot Bangla’, also directed by Priyadarshan. Their current disagreement has surprised and disappointed fans.
Audiences have been eagerly awaiting ‘Hera Pheri 3’, especially to see the original trio of Raju, Shyam, and Babu Bhaiya together again. However, Paresh Rawal's departure and the ensuing legal battle have cast uncertainty over the film's future.
