Actor Paresh Rawal has opened up about his much-publicised exit from Hera Pheri 3, saying Akshay Kumar’s ₹25 crore legal notice was an “emotional reaction” rather than a personal dispute. In an interview with Vickey Lalwani, Rawal also explained the circumstances that led him to step away from the film. Hindustan Times reported the development.
Rawal dismissed speculation that he left because he was uncomfortable working with Akshay Kumar. He said his decision stemmed from contractual obligations rather than creative or personal differences.
According to the actor, producer Firoz Nadiadwala, as the sole owner of the Hera Pheri franchise and films including Awara Paagal Deewana and Welcome, had to approve his participation before he could formally commit to the project.
Rawal said the legal notice made him reconsider his involvement. “When the legal notice came, I thought, ‘Why am I getting dragged into legal issues? Am I here to enjoy making a film or to get caught up in this?’ I told myself I didn’t want to be a part of it anymore,” he said.
After Rawal announced his exit in 2025, Akshay Kumar, who is also producing the film through Cape of Good Films, sought ₹25 crore in damages, alleging breach of contract and financial losses caused by the actor’s withdrawal.
Reflecting on the dispute, Rawal said he believed the legal notice was driven by emotion.
“I genuinely believe the legal notice was an emotional reaction. It was probably a case of, ‘How could he say no to me?’ He must have been emotionally disturbed,” he said. Rawal added that the two never formally discussed the issue but later worked together again. “Sometimes you don’t even need to say the words. That’s the gentlemanly way of resolving things,” he said.
The dispute was eventually resolved after Rawal agreed to return to the project. Throughout the controversy, he maintained that he had valid reasons for stepping away and denied reports of any creative differences.
Despite the reunion of the original cast, Hera Pheri 3 has continued to face setbacks. In 2026, the project became entangled in a copyright dispute over ownership of the franchise rights. Akshay Kumar’s production house publicly claimed exclusive ownership, while separate legal challenges added further uncertainty.
Around the same time, director Priyadarshan also exited the project, citing disagreements with producer Firoz Nadiadwala. As a result, the long-awaited comedy remains delayed despite the return of its original cast.
