Exclusive: The Inside Story Behind Paresh Rawal’s Exit from Hera Pheri 3 and Its Amicable Resolution
In an event that rocked the Bollywood business earlier this month, seasoned actor Paresh Rawal suddenly left the much-awaited Hera Pheri 3, sparking a legal dispute with the filmmakers. The Philox can now provide a thorough, well-researched narrative of the controversy how it started, why Rawal left, and how Akshay Kumar’s production crew negotiated the fallout to finally bring him back on board.
Paresh Rawal’s performance of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the first Hera Pheri (2000) and its sequel Phir Hera Pheri (2006) solidified his reputation as among the most beloved comic actors in Hindi cinema. Fans expected the original trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal to rejoin when news of third installment production was leaked. Rawal, however, turned down to move further with the initiative soon after doing a promotional shoot earlier in 2025.
Industry insiders say Rawal’s choice resulted from two main complaints: first, he was never given a finalized narrative or script; second, he was not promptly given a formal engagement agreement including details on his pay and other contractual requirements. His legal counsel claims that these omissions left Rawal with inadequate clarity on his role and screenplay, therefore pushing him to opt out on professional grounds
Days after Rawal left, Akshay Kumar’s production company sent a legal notice demanding ₹25 crore in damages for breach of contract a sum reflecting expected losses from project delays and the logistical difficulties of recasting an iconic character. According to reports, the production crew already made significant investments in marketing tie-ins and bookings for later in the year filming schedules. Apart from the financial claim, this legal action highlighted the urgency felt by the creators to maintain the momentum, especially considering the cult reputation of the brand.
Co-star Suniel Shetty openly expressed surprise and dismay over Rawal’s sudden choice. Shetty sent Rawal birthday greetings during a recent function, noting that “family ties” inside the Hera Pheri camp stayed strong despite continuous conflict.
Remaining mostly quiet, Director Priyadarshan who oversaw the first movie but was not initially linked to Hera Pheri 3 emphasized that he hoped the trio would get back together citing the legacy of the original. Concurrent with this, trade experts and supporters started speculating on possible successors; some speculations even suggested Pankaj Tripathi would be lured in to reinterpret the Baburao role a concept not currently popular.
Akshay Kumar personally got in behind closed doors to defuse conflict. Production sources claim that he started direct talks with Rawal and his agents, guaranteeing a legally sound contract compliant with industry norms for a star of Rawal’s level and a clear, thorough screenplay. Rawal reportedly focused mostly on making sure Baburao’s character journey stayed as polite and skillful as in the previous movies instead of being forced into a profit-driven sequel bereft of the charm of the original. Rawal reportedly indicated he could not commit to shooting without access to a final screenplay and contractual guarantees).
The breakthrough occurred when Akshay Kumar agreed not only to provide a finished story and filming schedule but also to repay Rawal’s initial signing money, therefore essentially negating the ₹25 crore claim once Rawal properly re-registered. This action indicated Kumar’s intention to retain the core cast whole and prevent more legal battles. Rawal and his legal team had a revised contract by mid-late May 2025 that detailed his pay, shooting schedule, and creative approval. The production company then withdrew its legal notice, declaring that all issues would be “handled amicably” inside the business rather than in court.
Rawal has committed to Hera Pheri 3 and the producers have confirmed that filming would start in August 2025, so preserving the trio’s original chemistry even if the legal conflict is formally behind them. Rawal himself has authorized the revised script, supposedly meant to highlight Baburao’s wit and preserve the innocent humor defining the first movie. Sources also show Priyadarshan is back in the director’s chair, guaranteeing consistency with the tone and style of the franchise.
Industry watchers think Hera Pheri 3 will meet fan expectations once Rawal returns. Having survived this debate, the creators of the movie are now more concerned in maintaining the heritage of their franchise. The fact that Akshay Kumar chose to personally negotiate and release the punitive pecuniary claim shows the significance Rawal’s participation holds. Audiences will expect the same slapstick humor, unforgettable one-liners, and charming friendship that defined the previous films box-office successes as filming picks up later this year.
As Hera Pheri 3 moves into production, The Philox will keep an eye on events to provide readers even more unique insights into what promises to be one of Bollywood’s most watched comebacks.
