As Paresh Rawal returns to Hera Pheri 3, insiders suggest Akshay Kumar called him to patch up; Priyadarshan reveals the three lead actors united to resolve the issue
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 3, 2025)
All is well that ends well, and the two-month controversy surrounding Paresh Rawal’s exit from Hera Pheri 3 has certainly ended on a happy note. On June 28, the veteran actor revealed that he has returned to the franchise’s third instalment that also stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. So, how did the change of heart happen? Especially when things had turned intense, with Kumar — who also serves as the producer — reportedly suing the senior actor for Rs 25 crore for his “unprofessional conduct”, and the latter returning the signing amount along with interest. Apparently, all it took was an honest chat over a phone call.
An insider reveals that Kumar called the veteran actor on his birthday, on May 30. “Paresh’s stance initially softened when Akshay firmly defended him at the Housefull 5 trailer launch, where a journalist called the senior actor ‘foolish’ for leaving Hera Pheri 3. Then on Paresh’s birthday, Akshay called to wish him. The superstar told him that while movies will come and go, their friendship should withstand the test of time as they go back a long way. After that, the two met along with Suniel,” says the insider.
Fans are naturally cheering Rawal aka Babu Bhaiyya’s return to Hera Pheri 3, as is director Priyadarshan. The filmmaker tells mid-day that he was given the good news by the veteran actor on June 30.
“Both Akshay and Paresh called to say that everything is sorted. I was in shock when Paresh said, ‘Sir, I’m doing the movie’. He added, ‘I have never had anything except a lot of respect for you. I’ve done 26 movies with you, and I’m sorry to have left the film. There were some personal issues.’ He said that Akshay, Suniel, and he met cordially and sorted it out.”
While rumours suggested that filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala and director Ahmed Khan had a role to play in the patch-up, Priyadarshan denies it.
Now, the National Award- winning filmmaker will sit down to pen the script of the laugh riot. “Whatever I do, I cannot surpass Hera Pheri [2000]. The second part [Phir Hera Pheri, 2006] was bad; it was a copy of a Hollywood movie,” he states, adding that while writing, he is certain of one thing.
“Hera Pheri cannot happen without any of the three lead characters. Recently, on a flight, a diamond merchant and his family came to me and requested me to bring Paresh back. They said they won’t watch the film otherwise.”
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Priyadarshan finally breaks silence on the Hera Pheri 3 controversy, and hints that the film’s shoot may begin next year
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 3, 2025)
Hera Pheri fans breathed a sigh of relief as actor Paresh Rawal confirmed his return for the third film, following his controversial exit in May.
Now that Paresh is part of the project again, director Priyadarshan speaks to us about things getting back on track: “I am living in South India; whenever a film is signed, I will go to shoot it. I am only committed to Akshay to do this film (as a maker); I don’t know anybody else.”
The 68-year-old continues, “You won’t see a single comment of mine on the whole issue till today. I don’t believe in the politics of cinema. Suniel (Shetty), Akshay, and Paresh are my best friends. There was a difference of opinion between them; that has been sorted. This is all I know. I don’t think anybody else is involved in it.”
Producer Firoz Nadiadwala recently claimed that his brother, producer Sajid had helped mediate the conflict. Priyadarshan doesn’t name anyone, and says, “Somebody is saying, ‘So and so is involved’, but there’s nothing. To the best of my knowledge, the three decided to do the film and informed me.”
On when Hera Pheri 3 will go on floors, Priyadarshan says, “I have just wrapped up my next Bhooth Bangla and am starting another film with Saif Ali Khan and Akshay. I think I will be doing Hera Pheri 3 next year.”
Will only talk about Hera Pheri after it’s released: Suniel Shetty
The actor has expressed happiness at Paresh’s return to Hera Pheri 3. Speaking on the YouTube channel Sai Safar, he said, “Main bhi sun raha hoon ki fine-tuning ho chuki hai. I will only talk about Hera Pheri after the movie is released. Yeh family ki film hai. Shayad woh ek film jahaan aap sab milke ek saath dekh sakte ho. Agar ek baar aap TV chaalu kar dete ho toh uske baad aapko tension lene ki zarurat nahin hai, sharmaane ki zarurat nahin hai. Aapko pata hai ki log sirf hasne hi hasne waale hain.”