Veteran actor
Paresh Rawal, known for his iconic role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the Hera Pheri franchise, has confirmed that legal teams are now handling the dispute with
Akshay Kumar following Rawal's exit from the highly anticipated
Hera Pheri 3.
Rawal's departure shocked fans and co-stars alike, with actor Suniel Shetty calling it an "absolute shock" and stating, "it cannot happen without Paresh Rawal." The dispute escalated after Rawal reportedly exited the project, causing financial and logistical setbacks for Kumar, who is both the lead actor and producer.
According to reports, Rawal has returned the signing amount of
Rs 11 lakh along with
15% annual interest and additional compensation. However, Akshay Kumar's production house, Cape of Good Films, has issued a legal notice seeking damages of
Rs 25 crore for losses incurred due to Rawal's sudden exit.
The production had already invested in shooting approximately three and a half minutes of footage and promotional material, with contracts signed and schedules locked in. Kumar alleged that Rawal's exit caused significant disruption to the film's progress.
Rawal's lawyers stated that the other party failed to deliver the story, screenplay, and a draft of a long-form agreement, which were fundamental to their engagement. Despite this, the legal battle continues as both sides seek resolution.
This dispute highlights the challenges in film production agreements and the impact of sudden cast changes on high-profile projects. Fans of the franchise remain hopeful for a resolution that allows the beloved series to continue.
Key quotes and stats:"Admittedly, they did not deliver the story, screenplay and also a draft of a long form agreement which was fundamental to the engagement of our client." - Rawal's legal team
"Paresh Rawal is facing a Rs 25 crore legal notice from Akshay Kumar9s production house." - Reports
"Rawal has repaid the signing amount of Rs 11 lakh, along with 15% annual interest, and an additional sum as compensation." - Bollywood Hungama
"It cannot happen without Paresh Rawal." - Suniel Shetty
Sources: 
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal confirmed that legal teams are now managing the dispute with Akshay Kumar over Rawal's exit from Hera Pheri 3. Rawal has repaid the Rs 11 lakh signing amount plus interest, while Kumar's production house seeks Rs 25 crore in damages for losses caused by the departure.
