Mumbai, June 30, 2025 –
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed his return to the much-anticipated comedy sequel Hera Pheri 3, putting an end to the controversy surrounding his exit from the project. Speaking on Himanshu Mehta’s podcast, Rawal clarified that the issue was never a real conflict but rather a matter of creative alignment and responsibility toward the audience.
“There’s no real controversy,” said Paresh Rawal. “When a franchise becomes so beloved by the audience, you have to be extra careful. You can’t take things lightly. We owe it to the fans who’ve showered us with love. That’s why I felt we should come together and give it our best.”
When asked directly whether he will now be part of Hera Pheri 3, Rawal responded affirmatively:
“I was always going to be part of it. We just needed time to make things better. After all, whether it’s Priyadarshan, Akshay or Sunil – all of them are dear friends I’ve known for years. Everyone is creative, and eventually, we chose to align.”
⚖️ Backstory: The Controversy and Legal Notice
Rawal’s exit had earlier shocked fans when he publicly announced leaving the film due to creative differences. Since Akshay Kumar is co-producing the film, his legal team issued a notice to Rawal after the announcement.
Akshay’s lawyer Pooja Tidke stated that the production company had already made significant investments, and the sudden exit could cause legal and financial complications.
Following the notice, Paresh Rawal returned the signing amount of ₹11 lakh with 5% interest to the production team. The controversy deepened because Rawal went public before informing the makers directly.
😢 Akshay Kumar Was Emotionally Affected
Director Priyadarshan, in an interview with Mid-Day, revealed that Akshay Kumar was deeply hurt when he learned about Rawal’s decision to quit.
“Akshay has a strong emotional connection with the film. When he heard Paresh was quitting, he became emotional and even cried,” Priyadarshan said. “He asked me – ‘Why is Paresh doing this?’ Akshay didn’t want this to cause any loss. That’s why the notice was sent. But we all have been friends for years; one phone call could’ve solved it.”
🎬 Franchise Legacy
The Hera Pheri franchise, starting from 2000, has earned cult status in Indian cinema. With Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, and Paresh Rawal forming an iconic comic trio, fans have been eagerly awaiting a proper sequel that brings back the original magic.
