Hera Pheri 3 controversy: Paresh Rawal responds to legal battle of his exit

Bollywood veteran actor Paresh Rawal has been in the news ever since he shocked everyone with a sudden exit from the much-anticipated film Hera Pheri 3. Not just the fans of the franchise but the team of the film including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Priyadarshan were blind sided by this decision. Now, Paresh has shared an update regarding the controversy and the legal route it took. 

Paresh Rawal deals with Hera Pheri 3 exit legalities

After reports of Akshay Kumar suing Paresh Rawal for the inappropriate departure, Rawal shared an update saying that his lawyer has sent an “appropriate response” regarding his rightful “termination and exit” from the film to the makers.

Taking to his X handle, the actor wrote, “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.”

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.

— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) May 25, 2025

Paresh Rawal on exiting from Hera Pheri 3

While speculation initially suggested creative differences as the reason behind his decision, Paresh Rawal addressed these rumours in a public statement last week.

Taking to this X handle, the `Hera Pheri` actor wrote, “I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences,” he wrote on X, adding, “I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE FILMMAKER. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan, the film`s director.”

For over 20 years, Paresh Rawal`s portrayal of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, lovingly called Babu Bhaiya, has become one of Indian cinema`s most enduring and cherished comic roles.

Team was unaware of Paresh`s intention to walk out

Reacting to Rawal`s exit, Priyadarshan said that he was unaware of the actor`s decision to leave the film. He told Hindustan Times, “I don`t know why this happened because Paresh didn`t inform us. Before starting the film, Akshay asked me to check with both Paresh and Suniel, and I did, and both were on board.”

Suniel mentioned that he got to know about Paresh walking away from the film through his kids Athiya and Ahaan Shetty. He told India Today, “We were going to begin shooting next year. We had already started, in fact. We shot a promo. It`s a big thing. This is so shocking. I can`t make sense of this. And you know who sent it? Athiya and Ahaan – they both sent it to me within 15 minutes, asking `Papa, what is this?`. And I was here doing my interviews, and I felt like `holy s***`.”

This article first appeared on Mid Day