The entertainment industry is currently buzzing with the news of Akshay Kumar reportedly taking legal action against Paresh Rawal following the latter's exit from Hera Pheri 3. While this controversy surrounding the beloved comedy franchise is making headlines, it's worth remembering that this isn't the first time Paresh Rawal has decided to walk away from a project featuring Akshay Kumar.

Back in 2009, Paresh Rawal had initially agreed to be a part of Billu (also known as Billu Barber), a film directed by Priyadarshan and starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. The film revolved around a simple barber, Billu, and his unexpected reunion with his childhood friend, superstar Sahir Khan (played by Shah Rukh Khan). Irrfan Khan also starred in the movie.

Paresh Rawal was slated to play a significant role in Billu, but for reasons that weren't widely publicized at the time, he chose to leave the project. While the exact details of his departure from Billu remain somewhat unclear, it's known that he left the film after agreeing to it.

Fast forward to 2025, and the situation with Hera Pheri 3 seems to be taking a more dramatic turn. News outlets are reporting that Akshay Kumar has sent a legal notice to Paresh Rawal, seeking ₹25 crore in damages for what is being described as "unprofessional conduct" and "sabotaging the film". This action comes after Rawal confirmed his exit from the highly anticipated third installment of the Hera Pheri franchise.

According to reports, Akshay Kumar, who now owns the rights to Hera Pheri 3 after buying them from Feroz Nadiadwala, believes that Paresh Rawal's departure has caused major setbacks to the production. Sources close to the production have stated that Rawal had not only agreed to do the film but had also participated in pre-production discussions, shot for a day, and even featured in the teaser promo.

Adding fuel to the fire, there are reports suggesting that Paresh Rawal was being paid significantly more than his usual remuneration for Hera Pheri 3, with some sources claiming he was receiving three times his normal fee. This has led to accusations of "blatant disregard for professional integrity or commercial morality."

Paresh Rawal, however, has offered a different perspective on his exit from Hera Pheri 3. He stated that his decision was not due to creative differences with director Priyadarshan, but rather because he simply didn't feel like a part of the film anymore. "I know it came as a shock to many. We three make a great combination with Priyadarshanji directing us, but the fact is that I opted out because today I don't feel like a part of it," Rawal said in an interview. He expressed a desire for fresh character development rather than merely cashing in on the franchise's goodwill.

Director Priyadarshan has also weighed in on the controversy, expressing surprise at Paresh Rawal's decision to leave Hera Pheri 3. He mentioned that Akshay Kumar had checked with both Paresh Rawal and Suniel Shetty before starting the film, and both were on board at that time.

The Hera Pheri 3 situation has undoubtedly stirred up a lot of emotions, especially among fans of the franchise. Suniel Shetty had also voiced concerns about replicating the original film's success, highlighting the challenges of living up to the high expectations set by the previous installments.