The sudden exit of veteran actor Paresh Rawal from Hera Pheri 3 has sparked major buzz in Bollywood. Fans were stunned, and even the film’s makers and co-stars weren’t expecting it. What started as a creative difference quickly escalated into a legal showdown, with Akshay Kumar’s production company, Cape of Good Cinema, filing a ₹25 crore lawsuit against Rawal.
Akshay Kumar Breaks Silence
Speaking exclusively with Pinkvilla, Akshay Kumar addressed the controversy for the first time. When asked about the ongoing situation, the actor remained calm and hopeful.
“Whatever is happening is right in front of you,” he said, adding, “Keeping my fingers crossed. I hope everything goes well.”
He ended on a positive note, “Everything will go well only. I know, for sure.”
Paresh Rawal Calls His Iconic Role a ‘Gale Ka Fanda’
In an earlier interview with Lallantop, Paresh Rawal explained why he stepped away from the project. Calling his iconic Hera Pheri character “a noose around the neck,” he expressed a desire to grow as an actor and avoid being typecast in the same role repeatedly.
Lawsuit and Refund Intensify Rift
Soon after Rawal’s announcement, Akshay’s team responded with a lawsuit demanding ₹25 crore. Paresh Rawal, in turn, returned his signing amount with interest. Despite these tensions, both actors recently wrapped up filming for Bhoot Bangla, a horror-comedy directed by Priyadarshan. However, insiders say their off-screen chemistry isn’t what it used to be.
Akshay Kumar Gears Up for Telugu Debut
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is expanding his horizons. He’s all set to make his debut in the Telugu film industry with the highly anticipated fantasy drama Kannappa, hitting theaters on June 27, 2025. In the film, he will play Lord Shiva, alongside Vishnu Manchu in the lead. The movie also features big names like Mohanlal and Prabhas in special roles.
