Did Paresh Rawal Actually Shoot for ‘Hera Pheri 3’?

Mumbai, May 23 (NationPress) In a recent update, an insider connected to actor Paresh Rawal has confirmed that he has not filmed any scenes for the anticipated movie “Hera Pheri 3.”

This assertion arises amid a controversy involving Akshay Kumar's production company, Cape of Good Films, whose attorney has accused Rawal of being unprofessional. The attorney disclosed that a legal notice was dispatched to the seasoned actor following his exit from Priyadarshan's “Hera Pheri 3.” It was also mentioned that around three and a half minutes of the film had been filmed.

In response to these claims, a source associated with Paresh Rawal remarked, “Labeling someone like Paresh Rawal, a veteran with four decades of remarkable work, as ‘unprofessional’ is not only unjust but also absurd. Let’s clarify: the film hadn’t even commenced. There was merely a promotional shoot, not a filming schedule. The actual filming is expected to take place next year. Thus, the notion that he ‘walked out’ is a stretch of the imagination at best.”

The source further stated, “He departed long before any actual preparations had begun, before the lights, camera, and the frenzy of production set in. Paresh Rawal has built his career meticulously, focusing on integrity, discipline, and artistry—not sensationalism.”

On May 18, Paresh Rawal publicly announced his exit from the project via a post on X, clarifying that his departure was unrelated to any “creative issues.”

The actor addressed the rumors surrounding his exit from the eagerly awaited comedy sequel, which suggested he left due to creative disagreements with Priyadarshan. Rawal was quick to clarify, tweeting, “I want to officially state that my decision to leave Hera Pheri 3 was not due to any creative differences. I emphasize that there are no creative disputes with the director. I have great admiration, respect, and trust in Mr. Priyadarshan as the film director.”

Following Rawal’s sudden exit from the “Hera Pheri 3” production, Akshay Kumar's company filed a lawsuit seeking ₹25 crore in damages. The production house issued a comprehensive statement detailing the legal basis for the lawsuit, noting that Paresh Rawal had received a signing amount of ₹11 lakh and did not express any concerns during the initial filming phase.

After the lawsuit was initiated, Paresh Rawal mentioned in an interview that he had communicated his decision to Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Priyadarshan. However, both Shetty and Priyadarshan claimed they were unaware of Rawal’s departure in separate interviews.

Additionally, a source connected to the production team informed IANS that a significant reason behind Paresh Rawal’s exit was his request for additional payment, despite having already received a considerable fee. An insider stated, “Mr. Paresh is a seasoned actor, and we’ve enjoyed collaborating with him on numerous projects. However, this behavior appears unprofessional and was entirely unexpected from someone of his caliber.”

Paresh Rawal played the role of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the first two “Hera Pheri” films, which were released in 2000 and 2006, both directed by Priyadarshan, who is also at the helm of the forthcoming third installment.