The much-anticipated "Hera Pheri 3" has been thrown into turmoil following the unexpected departure of Paresh Rawal, who played the iconic character of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte. This has led to a series of events, including a legal notice from Akshay Kumar, who is not only a lead actor but also a co-producer of the film. The situation has left fans, the director, and other members of the cast in shock and has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of the comedy franchise.
Paresh Rawal's decision to exit "Hera Pheri 3" came as a surprise to many, especially since he had previously confirmed his participation in the film. According to reports, Akshay Kumar's production company, Cape of Good Films, has filed a lawsuit against Rawal, seeking ₹25 crore in damages for breach of contract and financial losses incurred due to his departure. The legal team representing Akshay Kumar has stated that Rawal's exit constitutes "gross unprofessional conduct."
Director Priyadarshan, who directed the first "Hera Pheri" film and is also helming the third installment, has expressed his disappointment and confusion over the situation. He revealed that Rawal did not inform him or any other members of the cast and crew about his decision to leave the project. Priyadarshan emphasized that he had spoken with both Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty before the film went into production, and both had agreed to be on board. He also refuted claims that he had tried to persuade Rawal to change his mind, stating that Rawal had texted him, requesting not to be called and that his decision was final.
Adding to the complexity, there are conflicting reports regarding whether Paresh Rawal had shot any scenes before his exit. While Akshay Kumar's team claims that Rawal had already begun shooting, Rawal's team has issued a statement clarifying that he did not shoot a single scene for "Hera Pheri 3" before leaving the project.
Paresh Rawal himself has addressed the situation, stating that his decision to step away from "Hera Pheri 3" was not due to creative differences with director Priyadarshan. He clarified that he holds immense love, respect, and faith in Priyadarshan and that there were no disagreements between them. When asked about the reason for his exit, Rawal stated that he simply did not feel like being a part of the film at this time. He also dismissed rumors that his exit was due to compensation issues, stating that no amount of money could compare to the love and respect of his audience.
The controversy surrounding "Hera Pheri 3" has sparked various reactions within the film industry and among fans. Some industry insiders believe that the issue could have been resolved internally through communication between Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal. Many fans have expressed their disappointment over Rawal's departure, with some even stating that there can be no "Hera Pheri" without his iconic character, Baburao.
The future of "Hera Pheri 3" remains uncertain. With Rawal's exit, the project has been stalled, and producers may need to recast the role or renegotiate deals. The financial implications of Rawal's departure are significant, as distributors had already shown interest in the film, assuming that the original trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal would reunite.
This is not the first time that the "Hera Pheri" franchise has faced challenges. In 2022, there were reports that Akshay Kumar had backed out of the film due to creative differences and was to be replaced by Kartik Aaryan. However, these reports were later refuted, and Akshay Kumar was brought back into the project.
The current controversy surrounding Paresh Rawal's exit has further complicated matters and has left fans wondering whether "Hera Pheri 3" will ever see the light of day.