Priyadarshan:‘Akshay shouldn’t face losses because Paresh walked out on a whim’

To Priyadarshan, the events of the past few days have been “a mystery”. The filmmaker was in his hometown Thiruvananthapuram when he heard that Paresh Rawal had announced his exit from Hera Pheri 3, the highly anticipated instalment in the cult comedy franchise starring him alongside Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. Things quickly spiralled since with actor and producer Kumar reportedly suing Rawal for R25 crore for leaving the project midway. Even as a cloud of uncertainty looms over Hera Pheri 3, what has hurt the filmmaker is the nature of Rawal’s exit. 

Priyadarshan

“I am very hurt and shocked as Paresh didn’t inform any of us. He could have picked up the phone and told me before telling the media because we’ve been friends for years. Until last week, we shot Bhooth Bangla together with Akshay,” says the director, before adding, “[After his announcement], Paresh sent me a message saying, ‘Priyan sir, I have nothing against you. I have a lot of respect for you, but I have my reasons for not doing the film.’”

A still from Hera Pheri

In a recent interview to mid-day, Rawal stated that the director had tried to convince him against leaving the project (Priyadarshanji tried to change my mind, May 20). However, Priyadarshan insists nothing of the sort happened. “I didn’t try to stop him because he never told me that he was leaving the project. When I tried calling him, he texted, saying, ‘Please don’t call me. This is my decision and it has got nothing to do with you.’ He also wrote that we should work together again.” 
For fans, it’s almost impossible to imagine Hera Pheri 3 without Rawal’s Babu Bhaiyya joining Kumar’s Raju and Shetty’s Ghanshyam in their misadventures. The buzz suggests that there were creative differences over the three lead characters’ arcs and prominence. Priyadarshan denies it, stating, “With me, Akshay has never cut down anybody’s roles. He does not interfere with a director’s vision at all.”

There was also speculation that Rawal may have been unhappy with his remuneration — something that was denied by the actor. Priyadarshan too asserts there is no truth to this rumour. “All our contracts were signed. Ten days ago, Suniel, Akshay, and Paresh shot a scene and the IPL [Indian Premier League] teaser. It was only after we unanimously agreed to do Hera Pheri 3 that Akshay bought the [franchise’s] rights. Akshay had tears in his eyes when he asked me, ‘Priyan, why is Paresh doing this to us?’ Akshay shouldn’t suffer financial losses because Paresh walked out on a whim. I understand that he will have to take whatever action is required.”

With inputs by Mohar Basu

This article first appeared on Mid Day