Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially denied participating in the shoot for Hera Pheri 3, amid reports of legal tension between him and Akshay Kumar’s production team. The controversy began after Akshay’s legal representative alleged breach of contract, claiming that Rawal abruptly exited the project after reportedly filming a three-and-a-half-minute segment.
However, a source close to Rawal refuted these claims, stating, “There was never a film shoot—only a promotional video. Paresh Rawal exited long before the actual production schedule was set. To say he walked out is pure imagination.”
The source emphasized Rawal’s professional history, noting his four-decade-long career built on discipline and dedication, not drama. “He doesn’t thrive on headlines,” they added, defending Rawal against the label of being “unprofessional.”
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar’s legal team insists Rawal’s sudden withdrawal caused financial and logistical damages. “Contracts were signed, expectations set, and his departure came without prior warning,” lawyer Pooja Tidke explained.
Rawal played the iconic character Baburao in the franchise’s first two films, released in 2000 and 2006. Hera Pheri 3, directed by Priyadarshan, is still in the pre-production phase with a full shoot scheduled for next year. Despite the backlash, Rawal has not issued a public statement but continues to maintain his distance from the ongoing legal and media storm. The film still stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty in lead roles.