Akshay Kumar Didn't Share Script, Long-Term Agreement

News18

26-05-2025

Last Updated:
Paresh Rawal's lawyer clarified his exit from 'Hera Pheri 3' due to agreement issues.
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal's legal team, Anand & Naik, has finally broken silence on his exit from the much-loved Hera Pheri 3. Addressing the ongoing controversy, the lawyers have released an official statement for the first time.
The update follows Rawal's earlier assurance that a legal clarification would be shared on Sunday morning. He wrote on X, formerly Twitter, 'My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response all issues will be laid to rest".
A source close to The Times of India said that producer Firoz Nadiadwala owns the rights to the original Hera Pheri films — Hera Pheri (2000) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006). He has reportedly sent legal notices to Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. 'He has sent legal notices to Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. The legal notice issued asked all of them not to do any promos, endorsements, or any activities related to the Hera Pheri franchise. It also stated that if they go ahead and proceed with it, it will be considered a willful breach. The notice also stated that the IP of all the characters, including Babu Bhaiya are with Nadiadwala," the source said.
The source went on to add that in March, during the shoot of Bhoot Bangla, Akshay gave Rawal a paper to sign for Hera Pheri 3 and said the full agreement would come later. But Rawal was unsure because he hadn't seen any script or other details. .'Akshay told him, 'Don't worry, trust me. You'll see it later in the longform agreement.' Based on his personal rapport with Kumar and acting in good faith, Paresh Rawal signed the term sheet," the source adds. In April, Rawal was asked to shoot a promotional video for Hera Pheri 3 . He once again questioned Akshay about the script, the production plan, and the long-term agreement, says the source. But he was told that the promo needed to be filmed in time for the IPL final, and that the details would be worked out later. The source says, 'The promo was eventually filmed on the Bhooth Bangla set, with some modifications. Shooting was initially scheduled to begin in 2026. Rawal suggested deferring the promo shoot to next year. To date, Paresh Rawal has not received a longterm agreement, script, or any official production details," the source added.
A source close to Paresh Rawal further added, according to TOI, 'Paresh Rawal has a longstanding investment in the character of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte (Babu Bhaiya) and wanted to have clarity before proceeding."
Earlier, Akshay's legal team said his exit caused big problems and money loss for the cast, crew, travel, and trailer shoot. Responding to the same, the actor's lawyers said, 'They did not deliver the story, screenplay or a draft of a long form agreement, which was fundamental to the engagement of our client. In the absence of these and also since Mr Nadiadwala, the producer of the original films, issued notice to our client and raised issues on the making of the film, our client chose to exit and returned the money with interest by terminating the term sheet.First, they accepted the monies, but later, unfortunately, sent an untenable notice to our client when knowingly nothing was and is ready, so there can never be any loss".
First Published: