26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Paresh Rawal's lawyer accuses Akshay Kumar of not delivering Hera Pheri 3 screenplay, says his exit due to ‘overall disorganisation'
Paresh Rawal's exit from Hera Pheri 3 has led to a legal tussle between him and his co-star Akshay Kumar, who is also serving as the producer of the film. After Akshay Kumar's legal team accused Paresh Rawal of unprofessional conduct for quitting the film midway, the Oye Lucky Lucky Oye actor has responded to the same and accused Akshay and his team of failing to deliver the film's screenplay or a draft of their long-form agreement to him.
According to a report in Times Now, Paresh's legal representatives have clarified that Paresh Rawal had valid and legitimate concerns over the film's level of preparedness. They spoke about responding to Akshay's legal team and said, 'We have replied to the notice, and Paresh Rawal's termination is on strong legal footing. They did not deliver the story, screenplay or a draft of a long-form agreement, which was fundamental to the engagement of our client.'
The report stated that Paresh signed the term sheet in good faith in March, without a legal review, due to his long-standing association with Akshay. He did so after Akshay promised to send him the long-form agreement later. In April, Paresh shot the promo clip for the film but raised concerns about the urgency despite the absence of a final script or production schedule. Eventually, due to the lack of a concrete agreement and overall disorganisation, he decided to exit the film.
'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.
After Paresh exited Hera Pheri 3, Akshay reportedly sued Paresh Rawal, seeking Rs 25 crore in damages and threatening civil and criminal action. Akshay's company claimed that they paid Rs 11 lakh to Paresh Rawal as a partial payment for the film. They also claimed that the actor had shot a promo clip, along with other videos, for the film.
Akshay's lawyer Pooja Tidke, Joint Managing Partner of Parinam Law Associates, told PTI, 'There were contracts entered into for the shooting of the trailer. In fact, there was some portion of about three-and-a-half minutes of the film itself that had been shot. Suddenly, a few days ago, we received a notice from Paresh ji saying that he is no longer associated with the film and doesn't want to be associated with the film. So, it's taken everybody by shock and surprise, of course.'
After Akshay sent the legal notice, Paresh Rawal's legal team declared that the actor had paid back the amount of Rs 11 lakh along with 15 percent interest to Akshay's production company. Paresh wrote on X, '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.'
According to a report in Bollywood Hungama, Paresh's total fees for the project were finalised at Rs 15 crore, and he was supposed to receive Rs 14.89 crore a month after the film's release. And since the film's release was expected to take place in 2026 or 2027, Paresh's payment would have been stalled for two years—something the actor reportedly didn't find acceptable.
