The sudden departure of Paresh Rawal from Hera Pheri 3 has sent ripples of shock and uncertainty through the film industry and among fans of the iconic comedy franchise. Suniel Shetty, one of the original trio, has expressed his disbelief and concern over Rawal's exit, stating that "Hera Pheri 3 cannot happen without Paresh Rawal."

Shetty revealed that he learned about Rawal's decision through his children, Athiya and Ahan, who shared the news with him. He was quoted saying, “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." He admitted to being "completely heartbroken" upon hearing the news. He initially considered reaching out to Rawal directly to discuss the matter but remained unsure of how to proceed.

Adding to the surprise, Shetty mentioned that even Akshay Kumar, the third member of the iconic trio, is unaware of the reasons behind Rawal's departure. "I have no clue about this. This is absolutely shocking... Even Akshay is clueless as to what happened," Shetty stated.

Rawal himself confirmed his exit on social media, clarifying that his decision was not due to creative differences with 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." However, Rawal has not yet fully disclosed the specific reasons for his departure, leaving room for speculation. In an interview Rawal said, “I know it came as a shock to many... but the fact is that I opted out because today I don't feel like a part of it.”

Amidst the confusion, reports have surfaced suggesting that Rawal's exit may be linked to a demand for a higher fee. According to these reports, Rawal allegedly asked for more money after already signing the contract and receiving a signing amount. It was also reported that Akshay Kumar's production company, Cape of Good Films, has sent a legal notice to Paresh Rawal seeking ₹25 crore in damages following his unexpected departure from the project.

Suniel Shetty has described the situation as a "crisis," emphasizing the importance of the Hera Pheri franchise not only for the audience but also for the actors involved. "You know, this film is important for our mental health. I don't know what's going to happen," he said. The future of Hera Pheri 3 remains uncertain.