Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed that he is back on board for Hera Pheri 3, putting to rest all the drama surrounding his exit and the ₹25 crore lawsuit filed by Akshay Kumar’s production house. The much-loved actor, known for his iconic role as Babu Bhaiya, addressed the issue on a recent podcast and assured fans that everything is now “resolved.”
The controversy that shocked fans in May
Back in May, Paresh Rawal had surprised fans when he publicly announced that he would no longer be part of Hera Pheri 3. Just two days later, Akshay Kumar’s production company responded with a ₹25 crore lawsuit against Rawal, accusing him of sabotaging the film’s shoot. The sudden turn of events led to widespread speculation, with many blaming creative differences between Rawal and director Priyadarshan.
Rawal clears the air on podcast appearance
Speaking on Himanshu Mehta’s podcast, Rawal addressed the controversy head-on:
“There’s no controversy. I believe that when people have loved something so much, then you have to be extra careful. It is our responsibility towards the audience. The audience has given us so much love—you can’t take that for granted. Work hard and give them the film.”
He added with a smile,
“I was just of the opinion that everyone should come together and work hard. That’s all. Everything is sorted now.”
When asked about the return of the original trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—he joked,
“We were always going to come back, but we just had to fine-tune ourselves (laughs). Everyone involved—Priyadarshan, Akshay, Suniel—are creative people and long-time friends.”
Why did Rawal initially walk away?
On May 18, Rawal’s announcement sparked rumors of a fallout with director Priyadarshan. However, he was quick to clarify:
“I want to make it clear that my decision to leave Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I have full love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan.”
Akshay Kumar’s legal move and Rawal’s response
After Rawal’s public exit, Akshay Kumar—who now owns the rights to the Hera Pheri franchise—filed a legal complaint against the actor. The complaint sought ₹25 crore in damages, alleging the actor’s actions caused delays in filming and financial losses.
To resolve the matter, Rawal’s legal team returned ₹11 lakh to the production house, along with 15% interest. His lawyer, Ameet Naik, also sent a formal reply explaining the actor’s “rightful termination and exit.”
Rawal posted on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after:
“My lawyer has sent an appropriate response. Once they read it, all issues will be laid to rest.”
Fans rejoice as the original trio reunites
With Paresh Rawal officially back, Hera Pheri 3 is now on track to reunite the beloved trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. The franchise, which has built a cult following since its debut, seems ready to deliver another round of laughs—this time, drama-free.
