A fresh legal storm has hit Bollywood as veteran actor Paresh Rawal’s sudden withdrawal from the highly anticipated film Hera Pheri 3 has prompted a stern legal response from Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Films. The move, confirmed by the actor’s legal representative, is expected to have “severe legal consequences” and has left the film’s future hanging in uncertainty.
Pooja Tidke, Joint Managing Partner at Parinam Law Associates, representing Cape of Good Films, revealed that a legal notice has been sent to Rawal after he unexpectedly stepped away from the third installment of the iconic comedy franchise. Fans have been awaiting the sequel for nearly two decades, and Rawal’s exit — he played the beloved character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte — has shocked both audiences and industry insiders.
“We have written to him letting him know that there are a lot of legal consequences involved,” Tidke told PTI. “There have been expenses incurred towards the cast, crew, senior actors, logistics, equipment, and even the trailer shoot. His decision has hurt the franchise significantly.”
Tidke stated that Rawal had publicly indicated his involvement in the project as recently as January through a social media post. Following that, contracts were signed, and even a three-and-a-half-minute portion of the film was shot. “Suddenly, a few days ago, we received a notice from Paresh ji saying he no longer wants to be associated with the film,” she said.
She further pointed out that such an abrupt exit has not only financial implications but also affects the credibility of the franchise and its actors. “There’s reputational damage involved for all those committed to the film. The disruption in schedule has affected everyone professionally,” she added.
The legal notice gives Rawal a seven-day window to respond. While the actor has yet to comment publicly, the production team remains hopeful for a resolution. However, the damages being considered are significant, as substantial investments had already been made, and schedules had been synchronized.
Hera Pheri 3, directed by Priyadarshan, was set to reunite the iconic trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal, who starred in the first two blockbuster installments released in 2000 and 2006. With Rawal’s departure, the fate of the franchise remains uncertain, much to the disappointment of fans.
Sources By Agencies
