Akshay Kumar sues Paresh Rawal for Rs 25 cr over ‘gross unprofessional conduct’ from Hera Pheri 3: Reports

Akshay Kumar’s production company, Cape of Good Films, has filed a legal suit against actor Paresh Rawal, seeking Rs 25 crore in damages following Rawal’s sudden exit from the film Hera Pheri 3 as per reports. The film, directed by Priyadarshan and featuring the original trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal, began shooting in April 2025. Rawal withdrew from the project midway through production, despite having signed the contract and receiving full payment, including an amount reportedly more than three times his usual fee.

The production house stated that Rawal’s departure caused significant financial losses and disrupted the shooting schedule. An industry source said, “It is extremely unprofessional for an actor to walk out of a project halfway—especially after accepting payment and knowing the production is already underway.” The source further added that all rights and financial clearances had been completed only after the principal cast gave their consent, underscoring the disruption caused by Rawal’s exit.

Rawal publicly clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that his decision to leave was not due to creative differences, stating, “I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FILM MAKER. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director.” This clarification came after reports suggested his exit was linked to creative or monetary disputes. Despite the clarification, the production maintains the position that Rawal’s withdrawal was unprofessional and caused reputational harm.

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 DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FILM MAKER . I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director.

— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) May 18, 2025

The legal notice from Cape of Good Films cites breach of contract and unprofessional conduct as grounds for the Rs 25 crore damages claim. The notice emphasizes that Rawal accepted a legal contract and an advance payment before withdrawing from the project. The production house has indicated that the lawsuit aims to reinforce accountability in Bollywood productions and prevent similar situations in the future.

Hera Pheri is a well-established comedy franchise with a large fan base, known for its iconic cast and humor. The sudden controversy surrounding the third installment has created uncertainty about the film’s continuation. As of now, no official announcement has been made regarding Rawal’s replacement or the resumption of filming. The legal proceedings and their impact on the project remain pending.