Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has formally addressed the legal proceedings initiated by Akshay Kumar over his abrupt departure from Hera Pheri 3, leading to a fresh wave of legal and professional drama. Kumar, who not only reprises his iconic role in the franchise but also serves as a producer on the third installment, is reportedly seeking legal recourse following what his team describes as a “sudden and unexpected” withdrawal.
Taking to social media on Sunday, Rawal acknowledged the controversy, stating that a legal reply has already been dispatched on his behalf. “My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response all issues will be laid to rest,” the actor posted on X (formerly Twitter). Naik is a prominent legal figure in the entertainment industry, previously representing the likes of Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor in high-profile cases.
Check out the tweet here:
My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response all issues will be laid to rest.
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) May 25, 2025
The legal storm was set in motion on Friday, when Akshay Kumar’s legal representative, Pooja Tidke, Joint Managing Partner at Parinam Law Associates, spoke to the Press Trust of India (PTI) about the potential fallout. “I think there will be severe legal consequences. It’s of course hurt the franchise. We have written to him letting him know that there are a lot of legal consequences involved. There have been expenses incurred towards the cast, towards the crew, towards leading senior actors, logistics equipment, and shooting of the trailer,” she said.
She further elaborated on Rawal’s previously declared commitment to the project, highlighting a public post he made in January which, according to her, confirmed his involvement. “Thereafter, there were contracts entered into for the shooting of the trailer. In fact, there was some portion of about three-and-a-half minutes of the film itself that had been shot,” Tidke explained.
“Suddenly, a few days ago, we received a notice from Paresh ji saying that he is no longer associated with the film and doesn’t want to be associated with the film. So, it’s taken everybody by shock and surprise, of course,” she continued.
The consequences of Rawal’s exit, according to Tidke, extend far beyond contractual obligations. “There’s reputational damage involved for the actors that are committed to the film, the franchise as a whole, and of course, there’s a great deal of disappointment among the audience. So we’re optimistic that things work out, but as of now we’re facing legal issues,” she said.
The production house has reportedly given Rawal a seven-day window to respond, underlining the financial and logistical disruptions caused by his departure. “There’s been a substantial amount of money already invested in the film. Shooting had begun. Of course, everyone’s synchronised schedules are now disrupted. Professionally, it’s affected everyone,” she added.
While the contents of Rawal’s legal response remain confidential, this dispute has resulted in an uncertain future for the much-loved Hera Pheri franchise.