The much-anticipated "Hera Pheri 3" has been embroiled in controversy following Paresh Rawal's exit, with reports suggesting a dispute over his fees. Initial reports indicated that Rawal demanded ₹25 crore for his role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, a substantial increase that purportedly irked Akshay Kumar, who owns the rights to the franchise, leading to legal action. Kumar is reportedly suing Rawal for ₹25 crore for "unprofessional conduct" and the financial setbacks caused by his departure after filming had begun.

However, more recent reports dispute the timeline and circumstances of Rawal's exit. Sources close to Rawal claim that he never actually commenced shooting for "Hera Pheri 3." These sources state that only a promotional shoot took place and that the actual filming was scheduled for the following year. According to this version of events, Rawal exited the project long before any significant production work began. These sources have labeled the claims of unprofessionalism as "laughable," defending Rawal's four-decade-long career built on "honesty, discipline, and sheer craft."

Adding another layer to the situation, reports suggest that Rawal had received a signing amount of ₹11 lakh. It's also being said that Akshay Kumar is taking legal action through his production house, Cape of Good Films. In response to these developments, Rawal clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that his decision to leave "Hera Pheri 3" was not due to creative differences with director Priyadarshan. He expressed his respect and faith in the director, further fueling speculation about the real reasons behind his departure.

Director Priyadarshan himself has weighed in on the controversy. He stated that Rawal did not inform him or the other cast members about his decision to leave the film. Priyadarshan also mentioned that Akshay Kumar had asked him to confirm with both Rawal and Suniel Shetty before commencing the film, and both actors were on board at the time.

The situation remains unclear, with conflicting reports about the timeline of events and the reasons for Rawal's exit. While some sources attribute it to a fee dispute and subsequent "unprofessional conduct," others claim that Rawal left before any significant filming took place, disputing the claim that he abandoned the project midway. Regardless of the specific reasons, Rawal's departure has undoubtedly cast a shadow over "Hera Pheri 3," leaving fans disappointed and the film's future uncertain. The legal battle between Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal will likely further complicate matters and determine the true course of events.