Must have been emotionally disturbed: Paresh Rawal on Hera Pheri 3 lawsuit by Akshay
Paresh Rawal said Akshay Kumar's Rs 25 crore legal notice over Hera Pheri 3 was triggered by a contractual issue rather than a personal fallout. The veteran actor also said he believes the legal action was an emotional reaction.
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has spoken about the Rs 25 crore legal notice sent to him by his Hera Pheri co-star Akshay Kumar after he announced last year that he would no longer be part of the third instalment. The 71-year-old said his exit was not linked to any personal issue with Akshay. Rather, he said, the dispute stemmed from a contractual issue and suggested that the 58-year-old's decision to sue him was an emotional reaction.
Akshay, who is also producing the film, had sought Rs 25 crore in damages, alleging breach of contract and sabotage. The dispute continued for months before being resolved after Paresh agreed to return to the project.
Speaking to Vickey Lalwani, Paresh said his decision to step away from the project had nothing to do with being uncomfortable working with Akshay.
He said, “No, it wasn’t about, ‘I’m uncomfortable working with Akshay Kumar.’ It was a contractual obligation. If I were to do the film, I needed the approval of Firoz (Nadiadwala, producer) because he is the sole owner of the Hera Pheri franchise. And also of other films like Awara Paagal Deewana, Welcome, and all of that. Until I had his approval, I simply couldn’t commit.”
Paresh said the legal notice left him frustrated because he did not want to get drawn into a legal fight. “When the legal notice came, I thought, ‘Why am I getting dragged into legal issues? Am I here to enjoy making a film or to get caught up in this?’ I told myself I didn’t want to be a part of it anymore.”
He said he believed Akshay’s legal move was driven more by emotion than by law. “I genuinely believe the legal notice was an emotional reaction. It was probably a case of, ‘How could he say no to me?’ He must have been emotionally disturbed.”
Paresh also said the lack of approval from producer Firoz A Nadiadwala was a matter between Akshay and Firoz, and not something he wanted to get involved in. “As for why Firoz’s approval never came, that was something between Akshay and Firoz. I never dug deeper into it.” He added, “There has never been any reason for Akshay and me to have a fallout. None at all.”
Despite the prolonged uncertainty around the film, Paresh said he would still return whenever the project eventually goes on floors, regardless of who directs or produces it. “Whenever Hera Pheri actually happens, I’ll do it. I’m married to that film. Whenever they make it, I’ll be there.”
Asked whether he and Akshay later sat down to discuss the notice and whether the actor apologised, Paresh said the matter settled itself without a formal conversation. “We never really sat down and discussed it, but we worked together afterwards. Sometimes you don’t even need to say the words. That’s the gentlemanly way of resolving thibackngs.”
New set for Hera Pheri 3
The film has since faced another setback, with Priyadarshan recently confirming that he is no longer associated with Hera Pheri 3. Earlier this year, he had said he hoped the film would materialise, even if not in 2026. Producer Firoz A Nadiadwala first announced Priyadarshan’s exit, after which the filmmaker confirmed it himself.
Akshay Kumar on the delay
Akshay has also said the film is not moving ahead any time soon because of legal and contractual complications. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, he said Hera Pheri 3 is not being made at present and will not be on track for at least the next year. He said there were many issues, but added that they were not between him, Paresh and Suniel Shetty.
The actor also said some matters could not be discussed publicly, indicating that there were agreements and complications behind the scenes. Even so, he struck a hopeful note and said the film would happen when the time was right, adding with humour, “I just hope we are not too old by then.”
The Hera Pheri franchise began with Hera Pheri in 2000 under Priyadarshan and was followed by Phir Hera Pheri in 2006, directed by the late Neeraj Vora.
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has spoken about the Rs 25 crore legal notice sent to him by his Hera Pheri co-star Akshay Kumar after he announced last year that he would no longer be part of the third instalment. The 71-year-old said his exit was not linked to any personal issue with Akshay. Rather, he said, the dispute stemmed from a contractual issue and suggested that the 58-year-old's decision to sue him was an emotional reaction.
Akshay, who is also producing the film, had sought Rs 25 crore in damages, alleging breach of contract and sabotage. The dispute continued for months before being resolved after Paresh agreed to return to the project.
Speaking to Vickey Lalwani, Paresh said his decision to step away from the project had nothing to do with being uncomfortable working with Akshay.
He said, “No, it wasn’t about, ‘I’m uncomfortable working with Akshay Kumar.’ It was a contractual obligation. If I were to do the film, I needed the approval of Firoz (Nadiadwala, producer) because he is the sole owner of the Hera Pheri franchise. And also of other films like Awara Paagal Deewana, Welcome, and all of that. Until I had his approval, I simply couldn’t commit.”
Paresh said the legal notice left him frustrated because he did not want to get drawn into a legal fight. “When the legal notice came, I thought, ‘Why am I getting dragged into legal issues? Am I here to enjoy making a film or to get caught up in this?’ I told myself I didn’t want to be a part of it anymore.”
He said he believed Akshay’s legal move was driven more by emotion than by law. “I genuinely believe the legal notice was an emotional reaction. It was probably a case of, ‘How could he say no to me?’ He must have been emotionally disturbed.”
Paresh also said the lack of approval from producer Firoz A Nadiadwala was a matter between Akshay and Firoz, and not something he wanted to get involved in. “As for why Firoz’s approval never came, that was something between Akshay and Firoz. I never dug deeper into it.” He added, “There has never been any reason for Akshay and me to have a fallout. None at all.”
Despite the prolonged uncertainty around the film, Paresh said he would still return whenever the project eventually goes on floors, regardless of who directs or produces it. “Whenever Hera Pheri actually happens, I’ll do it. I’m married to that film. Whenever they make it, I’ll be there.”
Asked whether he and Akshay later sat down to discuss the notice and whether the actor apologised, Paresh said the matter settled itself without a formal conversation. “We never really sat down and discussed it, but we worked together afterwards. Sometimes you don’t even need to say the words. That’s the gentlemanly way of resolving thibackngs.”
New set for Hera Pheri 3
The film has since faced another setback, with Priyadarshan recently confirming that he is no longer associated with Hera Pheri 3. Earlier this year, he had said he hoped the film would materialise, even if not in 2026. Producer Firoz A Nadiadwala first announced Priyadarshan’s exit, after which the filmmaker confirmed it himself.
Akshay Kumar on the delay
Akshay has also said the film is not moving ahead any time soon because of legal and contractual complications. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, he said Hera Pheri 3 is not being made at present and will not be on track for at least the next year. He said there were many issues, but added that they were not between him, Paresh and Suniel Shetty.
The actor also said some matters could not be discussed publicly, indicating that there were agreements and complications behind the scenes. Even so, he struck a hopeful note and said the film would happen when the time was right, adding with humour, “I just hope we are not too old by then.”
The Hera Pheri franchise began with Hera Pheri in 2000 under Priyadarshan and was followed by Phir Hera Pheri in 2006, directed by the late Neeraj Vora.
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has spoken about the Rs 25 crore legal notice sent to him by his Hera Pheri co-star Akshay Kumar after he announced last year that he would no longer be part of the third instalment. The 71-year-old said his exit was not linked to any personal issue with Akshay. Rather, he said, the dispute stemmed from a contractual issue and suggested that the 58-year-old's decision to sue him was an emotional reaction.
Akshay, who is also producing the film, had sought Rs 25 crore in damages, alleging breach of contract and sabotage. The dispute continued for months before being resolved after Paresh agreed to return to the project.
Speaking to Vickey Lalwani, Paresh said his decision to step away from the project had nothing to do with being uncomfortable working with Akshay.
He said, “No, it wasn’t about, ‘I’m uncomfortable working with Akshay Kumar.’ It was a contractual obligation. If I were to do the film, I needed the approval of Firoz (Nadiadwala, producer) because he is the sole owner of the Hera Pheri franchise. And also of other films like Awara Paagal Deewana, Welcome, and all of that. Until I had his approval, I simply couldn’t commit.”
Paresh said the legal notice left him frustrated because he did not want to get drawn into a legal fight. “When the legal notice came, I thought, ‘Why am I getting dragged into legal issues? Am I here to enjoy making a film or to get caught up in this?’ I told myself I didn’t want to be a part of it anymore.”
He said he believed Akshay’s legal move was driven more by emotion than by law. “I genuinely believe the legal notice was an emotional reaction. It was probably a case of, ‘How could he say no to me?’ He must have been emotionally disturbed.”
Paresh also said the lack of approval from producer Firoz A Nadiadwala was a matter between Akshay and Firoz, and not something he wanted to get involved in. “As for why Firoz’s approval never came, that was something between Akshay and Firoz. I never dug deeper into it.” He added, “There has never been any reason for Akshay and me to have a fallout. None at all.”
Despite the prolonged uncertainty around the film, Paresh said he would still return whenever the project eventually goes on floors, regardless of who directs or produces it. “Whenever Hera Pheri actually happens, I’ll do it. I’m married to that film. Whenever they make it, I’ll be there.”
Asked whether he and Akshay later sat down to discuss the notice and whether the actor apologised, Paresh said the matter settled itself without a formal conversation. “We never really sat down and discussed it, but we worked together afterwards. Sometimes you don’t even need to say the words. That’s the gentlemanly way of resolving thibackngs.”
New set for Hera Pheri 3
The film has since faced another setback, with Priyadarshan recently confirming that he is no longer associated with Hera Pheri 3. Earlier this year, he had said he hoped the film would materialise, even if not in 2026. Producer Firoz A Nadiadwala first announced Priyadarshan’s exit, after which the filmmaker confirmed it himself.
Akshay Kumar on the delay
Akshay has also said the film is not moving ahead any time soon because of legal and contractual complications. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, he said Hera Pheri 3 is not being made at present and will not be on track for at least the next year. He said there were many issues, but added that they were not between him, Paresh and Suniel Shetty.
The actor also said some matters could not be discussed publicly, indicating that there were agreements and complications behind the scenes. Even so, he struck a hopeful note and said the film would happen when the time was right, adding with humour, “I just hope we are not too old by then.”
The Hera Pheri franchise began with Hera Pheri in 2000 under Priyadarshan and was followed by Phir Hera Pheri in 2006, directed by the late Neeraj Vora.
