The veteran actor Paresh Rawal, known for his iconic role as Babu Bhaiya in the Hera Pheri franchise, has recently been spotted wearing a grey t-shirt with the phrase "Don't Quit" emblazoned on it. This sighting occurred shortly after news broke of his departure from the highly anticipated Hera Pheri 3, sparking speculation and buzz among fans and media alike.
The image, shared by actress Geeta Basra on her Instagram story after meeting Rawal, quickly went viral. Basra captioned the photo, "So good meeting you Paresh Rawal ji… (after Zilla Ghaziabad)," but it was the message on Rawal's t-shirt that drew the most attention. Many fans interpreted the "Don't Quit" message as a cryptic response to the ongoing controversy surrounding his exit from Hera Pheri 3, and possibly a jibe at Akshay Kumar.
Rawal's departure from the film has been a rollercoaster of conflicting reports and legal drama. Initial rumors suggested that he had left due to creative differences, but Rawal himself dismissed these claims. Subsequently, reports surfaced that Akshay Kumar, who plays Raju in the franchise and is also co-producing the third installment, was planning to sue Rawal for breach of trust.
On May 25th, Rawal addressed the matter on social media, stating, "My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response, all issues will be laid to rest." Despite this seemingly definitive statement, the situation remains unclear, and fans continue to speculate about the reasons behind his departure.
Adding fuel to the fire, a fan pleaded with Rawal on social media to reconsider his decision, writing, "Sir please think once again to join HERA FERI movie You are the hero of this movie." Rawal responded with, "NO… There are Three Heroes in Hera Pheri," reminding everyone of the importance of the entire ensemble cast, including Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty.
Akshay Kumar's production house, Cape of Good Films, has reportedly sought ₹25 crore in damages due to the disruptions and financial losses caused by Rawal's exit. It's been reported that Rawal has refunded the signing amount he received for Hera Pheri 3, along with interest and additional compensation. The total fee for the film was said to be ₹15 crore, highlighting the significant financial implications of the dispute.
Despite the controversy, there may still be hope for reconciliation between Rawal and Kumar. The two actors are reportedly set to reunite in Priyadarshan's upcoming horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla, as well as the comedy sequel Welcome To The Jungle. There's also speculation that they might resolve their differences and potentially collaborate on Hera Pheri 3 in the future.
Whether the "Don't Quit" t-shirt was a deliberate message or simply a coincidence, it has undoubtedly added another layer of intrigue to the already complex Hera Pheri 3 saga. As of now, the future of the film remains uncertain, and fans can only wait and see if the iconic trio will ever reunite on screen.