In a dramatic turn of events for the highly anticipated "Hera Pheri 3," Akshay Kumar's production house, Cape of Good Films, has reportedly sent a legal notice to Paresh Rawal, claiming ₹25 crore in damages after Rawal's unexpected departure from the film. The lawsuit alleges "grossly unprofessional conduct" and accuses Rawal of leaving the film "in a lurch" after allegedly signing a legal contract and commencing shooting.

Paresh Rawal's exit from the project was confirmed recently, sending shockwaves through the franchise's massive fanbase. While initial reports suggested creative differences as the reason for his departure, Rawal clarified on social media that his decision was not due to disagreements with the film's director, Priyadarshan. He stated, "I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from 'Hera Pheri 3' was not due to creative differences. I reiterate that there are no creative disagreements with the filmmaker. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan, the film director."

Akshay Kumar is also the producer of "Hera Pheri 3," having legally acquired the rights from Feroz Nadiadwala. Sources close to the legal proceedings suggest that Rawal was being paid significantly more than his usual fee for the film. The source stated, "Paresh displayed a blatant disregard for professional integrity or commercial morality. If he wanted to not do the film, he should have said so before signing the legal contract, accepting the signing amount and making the producer spend so much money on the shoot,". The source further added, "It is high time Bollywood actors realize that like Hollywood, producers here too will no longer give in to the whims of an actor walking in and out of a film as he pleases.".

Rawal's portrayal of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte is iconic, and his absence will leave a void. The "Hera Pheri 3" project has faced numerous challenges, including changes in directors, scripts, and casting. The original trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal were set to reunite under Priyadarshan's direction. While Rawal denies creative differences, industry insiders suggest the issue may revolve around fee renegotiations and backend deals following budget adjustments.

Suniel Shetty has spoken about the importance of all three characters, stating that each character is essential to the film's success. The news of Paresh Rawal's departure has sparked disappointment among fans, many of whom believe the film cannot work without him.

This is not the first time Akshay Kumar's production has faced legal issues. In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against his film "Mission Mangal" over copyright infringement. A US-based filmmaker, Radha Bharadwaj, alleged that the film infringed on her original screenplay.

The outcome of this lawsuit remains to be seen, but it highlights the growing trend of legal disputes in the film industry.