What Led to Paresh Rawal's Exit from 'Hera Pheri 3'? Legal Insights Revealed!

Paresh Rawal's Departure from 'Hera Pheri 3': A Legal Perspective

Mumbai: The legal team representing veteran actor Paresh Rawal, Anand & Naik, has addressed the recent allegations following the actor's exit from the much-loved 'Hera Pheri' series. This marks the first official statement from Rawal's lawyers regarding the ongoing situation.

In a recent update, Rawal confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that his lawyer, Ameet Naik, has submitted a formal response concerning his exit. He stated, "My lawyer has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response, all issues will be laid to rest."

As the day unfolded, the actor's legal representatives crafted a comprehensive statement that clarifies the circumstances surrounding Rawal's departure from 'Hera Pheri 3'.

According to the lawyers, they highlighted that the production team failed to provide essential materials such as the story, screenplay, and a draft agreement, which were crucial for Rawal's involvement. Due to these omissions and a notice issued by producer Nadiadwala regarding the film's production, Rawal decided to withdraw and returned the advance payment with interest.

The statement also addressed Firoz Nadiadwala, cousin of producer Sajid Nadiadwala, explaining that Rawal's decision was made to protect his interests and maintain a good relationship with Firoz.

The controversy began when reports surfaced claiming that Rawal's departure from 'Hera Pheri 3' disappointed many fans. This was followed by a lawsuit from superstar Akshay Kumar, who not only stars in the film but also produces it after acquiring rights from Firoz Nadiadwala.

Rawal clarified that his exit was not due to creative disagreements with director Priyadarshan, whom he respects greatly. He emphasized that his decision was carefully considered, as the character of Babu Bhaiyya, central to the franchise, no longer resonated with him creatively.

The statement from his lawyers further elucidates Rawal's obligations to the project and confirms that he returned the signing amount of INR 11 lacs, along with interest, to Kumar's production house.

Previously, Kumar's legal team claimed that Rawal's exit caused significant disruptions, leading to financial losses for the cast, crew, and logistics.

In response, Rawal's lawyers remarked, "Initially, they accepted the payments but later sent an unreasonable notice to our client, despite the absence of a story and uncertainties surrounding the title, indicating there could be no losses. We hope they recognize this reality and move forward from our client (sic)."

As both parties continue to navigate the legal proceedings, the future of the beloved franchise remains uncertain.