After being sued by Akshay Kumar's production company and returning Rs 11 lakh with interest, actor Paresh Rawal confirmed he is returning to Hera Pheri 3 in a recent interview. The film has been embroiled in controversy since May after Paresh Rawal announced his exit from the film in an X post. According to reports, soon Akshay Kumar sued his frequent collaborator for sabotaging the shoot and demanded Rs 25 crore in compensation.
What's Happening
- In a podcast with Himanshu Mehta, Mr Rawal was asked about the Hera Pheri 3 controversy. He replied, "There's no controversy. I believe that when people have loved something so much, then you have to be extra careful. It is our responsibility towards the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can't take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko (film) do."
- The actor added, "So, I was of the opinion that sab saath mein aayein, mehnat karein. Aur kuch nahin. It is all resolved now."
- When the host pressed whether the third installment of Hera Pheri is in the works with the OG cast, Mr Rawal said, "Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi but it's just that we had to finetune ourselves (laughs). After all, all of them are creative, be it Priyadarshan, Akshay or Suniel. They have been friends for many, many, many years."
The Hera Pheri 3 Controversy
There were reports Paresh Rawal had quit the film over his creative differences with director Priyadarshan.
Putting the record straight, Mr Rawal wrote on X on May 18, "I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from 'Hera Pheri 3' was not due to creative differences. I reiterate that there are no creative disagreements with the filmmaker. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr Priyadarshan."
Just two days after his exit, Akshay's production company sued Mr Rawal for Rs 25 crore for sabotaging the shoot. Akshay is also the producer of Hera Pheri 3 after he legally bought its rights from original producer Feroz Nadiadwala.
Following legal trouble, Mr Rawal's legal team declared that the actor had paid back the amount of Rs 11 lakh along with 15 per cent interest to Akshay's production company. The veteran actor then wrote on X, "My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response all issues will be laid to rest."
Akshay defended Mr Rawal, his decades-old colleague, in public when he was asked to weigh in on the legal battle at the trailer launch of Housefull 5.
"Using this kind of word for one of my co-star like a foolish word or something. I would not appreciate it, and that's not right. I have worked with him since the last 30-35 years, we are very good friends. He's a great actor and I really admire him," said Akshay, adding, "It's a very serious matter. It is a matter which is going to be handled by the court."
In A Nutshell
After a month-long hera pheri with the public and media, Paresh Rawal confirmed his return to Priyadarshan's Hera Pheri 3, co-starring with his OG collaborators Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. Mr Rawal said the film was very much in the works, but they needed time to "fine-tune" themselves.
