Paresh Rawal, a celebrated figure in Indian cinema and a former Member of Parliament, has enjoyed a long and successful career. However, his journey hasn't been without its share of controversies. From making headlines for his political views to shocking revelations about his personal health practices and, most recently, his dramatic exit from the highly anticipated "Hera Pheri 3," Rawal has often found himself in the midst of public debate.
One of the most recent and perhaps most surprising controversies involves Rawal's claim of drinking his own urine. In an interview earlier this year, the actor stated that he practiced urine therapy to heal a knee injury he sustained during the filming of Ghatak in the 1990s. He claimed that late stunt director Veeru Devgan advised him to drink his first urine of the day, asserting that it was a common practice among fighters for speedy recovery. Rawal even jokingly mentioned that he "sipped it like beer" and followed the practice for 15 days, after which his doctor was surprised to see the healing progress in his X-ray reports.
This revelation sparked widespread debate and concern among health experts. Medical professionals strongly cautioned against such practices, emphasizing that there is no scientific evidence to support urine therapy. They warned that urine contains waste products, bacteria, and toxins that the body has deliberately filtered out, and reintroducing them into the system can lead to infections, electrolyte imbalances, and other health risks. Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, a renowned hepatologist, even called Rawal a "WhatsApp Boomer Uncle" and urged people not to follow his advice blindly. Despite the medical warnings, actress Anu Aggarwal supported Rawal's claims, stating that drinking urine, referred to as "Aamroli," is a practice in Hatha Yoga.
Beyond the health-related controversy, Rawal's decision to quit "Hera Pheri 3" has triggered a legal battle and ব্যাপক disappointment among fans of the iconic comedy franchise. Rawal, who played the beloved character of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, reportedly exited the film due to disagreements over payment clauses in his contract. While his total remuneration was agreed upon, a significant portion was to be paid only after the film's release, which was deemed unacceptable by the actor. He returned his signing amount with interest, effectively cutting ties with the project.
Akshay Kumar's production house, Cape of Good Films, has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Rawal, seeking ₹25 crore in damages for breach of contract. According to reports, the legal notice accuses Rawal of acting unprofessionally by backing out after having already shot some promotional content for the film. Sources close to the actors revealed that Rawal has returned the signing amount of the film with 15% interest. Priyadarshan, who is set to direct Hera Pheri 3, shared that Akshay Kumar had tears in his eyes upon learning about Rawal's sudden exit and expressed support for Akshay's legal action.
Earlier controversies include a tweet from 2017 where Rawal suggested that writer Arundhati Roy should be tied to an army jeep as a human shield, sparking outrage and criticism. He has also faced backlash for remarks made during a 2022 election rally, where he allegedly stereotyped Bengalis for their fish-eating habits, which were perceived as xenophobic. Rawal later apologized for the remarks, clarifying that he was referring to illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants. He has also spoken about rejecting a role in Munna Bhai MBBS due to disagreements over remuneration and perceived arrogance from the producer.
