Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially exited Hera Pheri 3 and returned his ₹11 lakh signing amount with 15% interest to the producers. His departure has sparked a legal battle with Akshay Kumar’s production house, which is demanding ₹25 crore in damages. The dispute centers on a payment clause that delayed most of Rawal’s ₹15 crore fee until after the film’s release, expected in 2026 or 2027.
Paresh Rawal played the iconic role of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the first two Hera Pheri films. His exit has left fans disappointed and raised questions about the future of the franchise. The makers had already shot a promo with Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty before his sudden decision to leave.
Rawal returned the signing amount along with extra money as a goodwill gesture. A source close to the development said:
“Paresh Rawal has returned the signing amount of ₹11 lakhs with 15% p.a. interest and also a little more money for stepping away from the series. His total fees were locked at ₹15 crores, but the balance ₹14.89 crore was to be paid only after the film’s release.”
The actor disagreed with this clause, as the film’s shoot was set to begin next year, with a release not expected before late 2026. This meant he would have waited nearly two years for his full payment. His exit has disrupted production schedules, leading to legal action from Akshay Kumar’s team.
Akshay Kumar’s lawyer, Pooja Tidke, stated:
“There will be severe legal consequences. It’s of course hurt the franchise. We have written to him letting him know that there are a lot of legal consequences involved. There have been expenses incurred towards the cast, towards the crew, towards leading senior actors, logistics equipment, shooting of the trailer.”
Director Priyadarshan, who was set to helm Hera Pheri 3, expressed shock over Rawal’s exit. He confirmed that contracts were signed and the team had already shot promotional material.
“I am hurt. He hasn’t given me any explanation. We three (Akshay, Suniel, Paresh) make a great combination, but he opted out without informing us.”
Suniel Shetty, who plays Ghanshyam in the franchise, also reacted to the news. He admitted he had no prior information about Rawal’s exit and learned about it from his daughter Athiya Shetty after it went viral online.
“We were going to begin shooting next year. We had already started, in fact. We shot a promo. It’s a big thing. I can’t make sense of this.”
Paresh Rawal clarified on social media that his exit was not due to creative differences. He stated he simply did not feel like continuing with the project.
“I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan, the film director.”
The Hera Pheri franchise began in 2000 and became a cult classic. The sequel, Phir Hera Pheri, released in 2006. Fans have waited nearly two decades for the third installment, making Rawal’s exit a major setback.
The production house claims Rawal’s departure has caused financial losses, including expenses for pre-production, crew salaries, and marketing. Legal experts suggest the case could set a precedent for contract disputes in Bollywood.
Industry insiders reveal that delayed payments are common in big-budget films, but actors rarely back out after signing. Rawal’s decision highlights growing concerns over payment structures in the industry.
A source close to Rawal defended his actions, calling the accusations of unprofessionalism unfair.
“Calling someone like Paresh with four decades of iconic work ‘unprofessional’ is laughable. The film hadn’t even started. Only a promo was shot.”
The future of Hera Pheri 3 remains uncertain. The makers may recast Baburao’s role or delay the project further. Fans have taken to social media, with many supporting Rawal’s decision while others express disappointment.
One fan commented:
“Mr. Rawal knew that the film will fail in box office and the remaining amount will not be paid to him after the release of film that is why he took this crucial decision.”
Another wrote:
“Without Baburao, Hera Pheri 3 won’t be the same. The magic of the trio is gone.”
The legal battle between Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar’s production house is expected to prolong, with hearings likely in the coming months. The outcome could influence how payment terms are structured in future Bollywood contracts.
