What Did Paresh Rawal's Lawyer Say About His ‘Hera Pheri 3’ Exit?

Mumbai, May 25 (NationPress) The legal team representing veteran actor Paresh Rawal, Anand & Naik, has finally addressed the allegations following the esteemed actor's departure from the third installment of the beloved ‘Hera Pheri’ series. This marks the first official statement regarding the ongoing situation.

This development comes after the actor promised a legal clarification concerning the issue on Sunday morning. He posted on X, previously known as Twitter, stating, “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.”

As the day unfolded, the actor's legal representatives crafted a comprehensive statement that highlights the unresolved aspects surrounding Paresh Rawal’s exit from ‘Hera Pheri 3’.

In an exclusive comment to IANS, the actor’s lawyers remarked, “Admittedly, they did not provide the story, screenplay, nor a draft of a long-term agreement, which were essential to our client's involvement. Due to the absence of these materials and because Mr. Nadiadwala, the producer of the original films, sent a notice to our client raising concerns about the film's production, our client opted to withdraw and returned the funds with interest by terminating the Term Sheet.”

The lawyer specifically addressed Firoz Nadiadwala, cousin of producer Sajid Nadiadwala, explaining that Paresh decided to step back from the project to protect his interests and maintain a good relationship with Firoz Nadiadwala.

The controversy escalated when media reported that Paresh Rawal's exit from ‘Hera Pheri 3’ had left the franchise's devoted fans devastated. Following this, Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar filed a lawsuit against the senior actor, as he plays one of the three main roles in the film and also serves as the producer after acquiring rights from Firoz Nadiadwala.

Paresh asserted that his departure was not due to creative disagreements with his long-time collaborator Priyadarshan, expressing great respect for the filmmaker. He clarified that his decision was well-considered, as the character of Babu Bhaiyya, the central figure of the franchise, no longer aligned with his creative vision as an artist.

The statement from his lawyers on Sunday further clarifies the circumstances surrounding his widely-discussed exit from the franchise. It highlights his commitment to the project and that he returned the principal amount, along with interest, to the producer. The senior actor reimbursed INR 11 lacs (the signing amount) plus interest to Akshay Kumar's production company.

Previously, Akshay's legal team claimed that the actor's exit led to considerable disruptions, including financial losses regarding the cast, crew, logistics, and trailer production.

In response, the senior actor’s lawyers stated, “Initially, they accepted the funds but later sent an unreasonable notice to our client, despite knowing that nothing was ready, including the story and title issues; therefore, there can never be any loss. We hope they will acknowledge this reality and move on from our client (sic).”

As the legal teams navigate this matter, the future of the franchise remains uncertain.