The entertainment industry is currently buzzing with news surrounding the upcoming film Hera Pheri 3. The sudden exit of veteran actor Paresh Rawal from the project has sent shockwaves throughout the production and among fans eager to see the iconic trio of Raju, Ghanshyam, and Baburao back on screen. Adding to the drama, reports have surfaced that Akshay Kumar, who recently acquired the rights to the Hera Pheri franchise, has allegedly filed a lawsuit against Rawal, seeking ₹25 crore in damages for breach of contract.
Director Priyadarshan has now spoken out about the situation, revealing the emotional impact of Rawal's departure. In an interview, Priyadarshan expressed his disappointment, stating he was "very hurt and shocked" that Rawal did not inform him or the team about his decision before making it public. He emphasized their long-standing friendship and professional relationship, noting that Rawal could have simply picked up the phone to discuss his concerns.
Priyadarshan recounted that just a week prior to Rawal's exit announcement, he, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty had even filmed a scene and an IPL teaser together. Following the announcement, Rawal messaged Priyadarshan, expressing respect but stating he had his reasons for leaving the film. Interestingly, Rawal had previously claimed that Priyadarshan tried to convince him to stay. However, the director refuted this, clarifying that Rawal never explicitly told him he was leaving. When Priyadarshan attempted to call him, Rawal reportedly texted back, requesting not to be called, stating the decision was final and not related to Priyadarshan personally, while also expressing interest in future collaborations.
Addressing speculation that Rawal's decision was due to creative differences over the prominence of the lead characters, Priyadarshan firmly denied such issues. He asserted that Akshay Kumar has always been respectful of the director's vision and has never interfered with the roles of other actors.
Perhaps the most poignant revelation from Priyadarshan was regarding Akshay Kumar's emotional reaction to Rawal's departure. According to Priyadarshan, Akshay was visibly upset, with "tears in his eyes," and questioned why Rawal would do this to them. This highlights the strong bond between the actors and the disappointment felt by Kumar over Rawal's sudden exit.
Adding fuel to the fire, reports suggest that Akshay Kumar's production house, Cape of Good Films, is moving forward with the lawsuit against Paresh Rawal. Sources close to the legal proceedings claim that Rawal's actions demonstrate a "blatant disregard for professional integrity" and that he should have raised his concerns before signing the contract and accepting the signing amount. The production house apparently believes that Rawal's departure has caused significant financial losses.
While Rawal has denied that his exit was due to creative differences and has expressed respect for Priyadarshan, the situation remains tense. Suniel Shetty has also expressed his shock and surprise at Rawal's decision. As of now, there is no confirmation on whether Rawal might reconsider his decision and rejoin the cast. The future of Hera Pheri 3 hangs in the balance as the industry awaits further developments in this unfolding saga.
