In a major fallout between longtime collaborators, Akshay Kumar’s production company Cape of Good Films has issued a legal notice to veteran actor Paresh Rawal, seeking ₹25 crore in damages for allegedly exiting Hera Pheri 3 midway through production. The legal move comes after weeks of speculation and a public confirmation of Rawal’s departure from the much-anticipated comedy sequel.
According to a detailed statement issued by Cape of Good Films, Paresh Rawal had accepted ₹11 lakh as a signing amount and was actively involved in the initial stages of the film, including a teaser shoot and script discussions. The statement emphasized that Rawal had never raised concerns or objections during the early creative processes.
“Mr Rawal had publicly acknowledged his participation in the film on 30th January 2025 via a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle,” the statement noted. “He further formalised his commitment by executing a Term Sheet dated 27th March 2025, pursuant to which he accepted a part payment of ₹11,00,000/- towards his remuneration.”
The teaser shoot reportedly took place on April 3, during which over three minutes of footage featuring Rawal was filmed. The actor also engaged in creative planning alongside Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. However, the production house claims that Rawal abruptly backed out after these significant commitments, citing unspecified “creative differences.”
Cape of Good Films has alleged that this sudden decision caused major disruptions and financial losses. “The sudden and unjustified withdrawal has caused severe financial loss, disrupted schedules, and jeopardised the momentum of a high-value production,” the statement read. “Cape of Good Films firmly believes that this justification is an afterthought, contrived to inflict maximum disruption on a beloved film franchise and undermine the goodwill it commands.”
The notice warned that if Rawal does not deposit ₹25 crore within seven days, civil and criminal legal proceedings will be initiated against him.
Paresh Rawal, for his part, confirmed his exit via an X post on May 18 but denied that his departure was due to creative disagreements. In response to the legal notice, Rawal told Mid-Day that he had informed Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and director Priyadarshan of his decision. However, both Shetty and Priyadarshan later stated in separate interviews that they were “clueless” about Rawal’s exit.
Hera Pheri 3 is the long-awaited third installment in the beloved comedy franchise that began in 2000. The second film, Phir Hera Pheri, was released in 2006. The cast of the series—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—has been central to its success, making the current legal tussle particularly striking for fans.
As of now, no official response has been issued by Paresh Rawal’s legal team regarding the ₹25 crore claim.
Sources By Agencies
