By KOMAL NAHTA
Actor Paresh Rawal’s recent post on Twitter (dated 25th May) hints that the ongoing controversy regarding his exit from Hera Pheri 3 is far from over. Known for his iconic role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in Hera Pheri and Hera Pheri 2, Rawal tweeted,
“My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has responded appropriately regarding my rightful termination and exit.
Once they read my response, all issues will be laid to rest.” This statement refers to the ongoing dispute surrounding his departure from the much-anticipated film.
For Rawal to assert that “all issues will be laid to rest,” it is likely that he has strong legal backing. He is no newcomer to the industry, and his legal counsel, Ameet Naik, is a well-established name in media-related litigation.
In retrospect, Akshay Kumar may have acted prematurely by sending a legal notice to Rawal, seeking damages. Legally speaking, once damages are claimed in court, a party generally cannot seek specific performance of the same contract.
In simpler terms, Akshay Kumar, who is also producing the film, may have inadvertently shut the door on any possibility of Rawal rejoining the cast by demanding Rs. 25 crore in damages.
That is, unless both parties opt for an out-of-court settlement. Given the circumstances — notably, that the film’s shoot hasn’t even commenced — the sum of Rs. 25 crore seems excessive.
Insider sources suggest that no final agreement was ever signed between Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar’s production team. Even the script is reportedly incomplete, and the promotional video was said to have been rushed.
Rawal, according to sources, had neither a finalized contract nor a confirmed script in hand.
Adding another twist to the tale is the involvement of Firoz Nadiadwala, the original producer of Hera Pheri and Hera Pheri 2, and the franchise rights holder. It appears he hasn’t officially granted Akshay Kumar the derivative rights to proceed with Hera Pheri 3.
Reliable sources indicate that Nadiadwala has raised objections not only with Akshay Kumar but also with director Priyadarshan and actors Paresh Rawal and Sunil Shetty.
This unresolved dispute over franchise rights may have further influenced Rawal’s decision to walk away, along with concerns about the unfinished script and lack of finalization on various fronts.
From Akshay Kumar’s perspective as a producer, Rawal’s sudden exit, especially after participating in the promo shoot, would be seen as unprofessional, particularly since no formal explanation was provided.
For the sake of the beloved Hera Pheri franchise, it would be ideal if all involved parties could put their differences aside and collaborate to create a third installment that surpasses its predecessors in quality and appeal.
Interestingly, while the first film in the series is widely regarded as a comedy classic, it did not perform well at the box office. Conversely, Hera Pheri 2, though often considered less impactful creatively, was a commercial success.
