Hera Phera 3 drama: Akshay Kumar says Paresh Rawal is a legend during Housefull 5 trailer launch

Dubai: Bollywood loves drama—and not just on screen.

The beloved Hera Pheri franchise is currently caught in a real-life mess worthy of a script rewrite, with Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal at the centre of a highly publicised fallout that now has lawyers involved and fans divided.

It all came to a head earlier today in Mumbai at the trailer launch of Housefull 5, where Akshay Kumar was asked—somewhat provocatively—about his veteran co-star’s sudden exit from Hera Pheri 3.

The actor didn’t flinch. “I wouldn’t appreciate people using words like ‘foolish’ for someone this senior,” he said, shutting down the reporter’s question with typical no-nonsense flair.

“I’ve worked with him for 30 years,” Akshay added. “We are very good friends. He’s a phenomenal actor and I truly admire him. Jo bhi kuch hai [Whatever be the situation], I don’t think this is the right platform to discuss it. It’s a serious matter—now in the court’s hands.”

So, what exactly happened?

Earlier this year, Hera Pheri 3 was all set to revive its cult trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—with a teaser and promotional material already shot.

But then, out of nowhere, Rawal reportedly backed out of the film, prompting Akshay Kumar’s production company to take legal action. According to Bollywood Hungama, Paresh Rawal not only returned the signing amount of ₹11 lakh, but also paid it back with 15% interest and an additional goodwill sum—a rare move in an industry where exit clauses are often quietly buried.

While Akshay's team felt blindsided, a source close to Rawal hit back, saying, “Calling someone like Paresh Rawal—who’s delivered four decades of iconic work—‘unprofessional’ is not just unfair, it’s laughable.” The insider claimed there was never a proper film schedule to begin with, just a promo shoot, and the full shoot was months away. “So, the idea that he ‘walked out’ is just theatrical imagination,” they told Bollywood Hungama.

The emotional toll? Apparently, it’s real.

Director Priyadarshan, who was earlier attached to direct Hera Pheri 3, revealed to Mid-Day that Akshay Kumar was devastated when Rawal exited. “All contracts were signed. Ten days ago, Suniel, Akshay, and Paresh shot a scene and the IPL teaser. Akshay had tears in his eyes when he asked me, ‘Priyan, why is Paresh doing this to us?’” he recalled. “Akshay shouldn’t suffer financial losses because Paresh walked out on a whim.”

The saga continues as the legal proceedings unfold—and for now, fans of Raju, Shyam, and Baburao will have to wait and watch whether this on-screen reunion survives the off-screen court battles.

So yes, Hera Pheri 3 is coming. But whether the holy trinity of chaos returns intact? That’s still up in the air—and under legal review.