Paresh Rawal returns to Hera Pheri 3 franchise after dramatic exit, but was it all a perfect publicity stunt

For weeks, Hera Pheri 3 played out more like a messy Bollywood drama than a comedy franchise reunion. Veteran actor and seasoned comedian Paresh Rawal, undoubtedly the soul of the Hera Pheri series with his iconic portrayal of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, had reportedly exited the project. His departure triggered a legal firestorm with Akshay Kumar’s production company, Cape of Good Films, suing him for Rs250 million for alleged breach of contract and “unprofessional behaviour.”

And just when fans and industry insiders began to eulogise the franchise’s future, Rawal staged a dramatic return.

He’s back. Front and centre.

What started as a serious dispute — complete with legal notices, X (formerly Twitter) clarifications, and media frenzy — now feels like the perfect plot twist. Could it have been a masterclass in viral marketing?

Let’s rewind.

On May 18, Paresh Rawal confirmed his exit from Hera Pheri 3 via a public post, insisting there were “no creative differences” with director Priyadarshan.

“I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan,” he wrote, perhaps to soften the blow of what many saw as the franchise losing its emotional core.

Soon after, reports emerged that Akshay Kumar’s team had slapped Rawal with a Rs250 million lawsuit for sabotaging the shoot. According to Bollywood Hungama, Rawal returned the Rs11 lakh signing amount — with 15% annual interest and an additional sum — to formally terminate his contract.

But it triggered an avalanche of speculation on the possible reasons for the fall-out? Was Rawal demanding higher compensation? Was it ego? Was it miscommunication? A source close to the actor claimed only a promo shoot had taken place, and that he had clearly informed Akshay and the team about his exit. “Calling a veteran like Paresh Rawal unprofessional is unfair,” they said.

Meanwhile, the production side maintained that Rawal had demanded additional money, despite being promised a hefty Rs150 million, most of which was to be paid post-release.

Add to the confusion: Priyadarshan and Suniel Shetty allegedly didn’t know about Rawal’s departure until it hit the headlines. The disarray threatened to derail one of Bollywood’s most eagerly awaited sequels.

But then came the twist — Hera Pheri-style.

In a podcast with Himanshu Mehta, Rawal finally broke his silence, dismissing the controversy altogether. “There’s no controversy. When people have loved something so much, you have to be extra careful… We had to finetune ourselves,” he said with a smile. He confirmed that the film is back on track — with the original cast intact. The OG trio — Akshay, Suniel, and Rawal — is reuniting.

And just like that, all is forgiven. Or at least forgotten.

Now, the question begs to be asked: Was this chaos carefully curated? Was Rawal’s exit a strategic misdirection to keep the buzz going? If so, it was a stroke of marketing genius. The film stayed in the headlines, fan sentiment surged, and nostalgia was reignited. No amount of conventional promotion could’ve generated this level of hype.

But if it wasn’t a publicity stunt, then it’s a lesson in crisis management — where egos, contracts, and fan expectations collided, only to be resolved with a handshake and a callback.

Either way, Paresh Rawal’s return isn’t just a casting decision — it’s a cultural reset. You can’t imagine Hera Pheri without Baburao’s signature squint, cranky wit, and chaotic charm. And clearly, the makers couldn’t either.

For now, the iconic trio is back in business. Let’s just hope the next drama is strictly on-screen.