30 June,2025 02:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Paresh Rawal
Over a month ago, actor Paresh Rawal shocked the team of Hera Pheri 3 and fans of the franchise by announcing that he had quit the film. This sent shockwaves not just among fans but reportedly also left the team, including Suniel Shetty, Akshay Kumar, and Priyadarshan, blindsided. While a lot has transpired since his exit, the veteran actor has now changed his mind and has hopped back onto the film.
In a recent interaction with Himanshu Mehta, Paresh Rawal revealed that all matters have been resolved and that the original cast is back together.
"There's no controversy. I believe that when people have loved something so much, you have to be extra careful. It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can't take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko (film) do."
"So, I was of the opinion that sab saath mein aaye, mehnat karein. Aur kuch nahin. It is all resolved now," he added.
When the host asked him if Hera Pheri 3 will indeed return with the OG trio, Rawal said, "Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi, but it's just that we had to fine-tune ourselves (laughs). After all, all of them are creative - be it Priyadarshan, Akshay, or Suniel. They have been friends for many, many, many years."
Speculation had been rife that Rawal's exit was due to creative disagreements with the film's director, Priyadarshan. However, the actor was quick to dispel these rumours, putting the record straight. In a message on X on May 18, Paresh posted, "I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I reiterate that there are no creative disagreements with the filmmaker. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan, the film's director."
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar, who had bagged the rights to the franchise for a whopping sum, had filed a legal suit against the actor for leaving the film after agreeing to be a part of it.
Reacting to Rawal's exit, Priyadarshan said he was unaware of the actor's decision to leave the film. He told Hindustan Times, "I don't know why this happened because Paresh didn't inform us. Before starting the film, Akshay asked me to check with both Paresh and Suniel, and I did, and both were on board."
Suniel mentioned that he got to know about Paresh walking away from the film through his kids, Athiya and Ahaan Shetty. He told India Today, "We were going to begin shooting next year. We had already started, in fact. We shot a promo. It's a big thing. This is so shocking. I can't make sense of this. And you know who sent it? Athiya and Ahaan, they both sent it to me within 15 minutes, asking âPapa, what is this?' And I was here doing my interviews, and I felt like âholy s'''.'"
