Hera Pheri 3: No turning back for Paresh Rawal, returns signing amount with interest

Paresh Rawal has no plans to reconsider being a part of the fan favourite Hera Pheri 3. The veteran actor has reportedly returned the signing amount for the upcoming instalment of the comedy movie franchise, along with interest on it.

According to Bollywood Hungama, Paresh returned the makers' signing amount of ₹11 lakh along with a 15 per cent interest on it.

“Paresh Rawal has returned the signing amount of ₹11 lakhs with 15% p.a. interest and also a little more money for stepping away from the series,” the report said, citing sources.

Paresh locked a contract of ₹15 crore with the makers to do the film.

Clause in term sheet

He reportedly also had “reservations” about a particular clause in the term sheet.

According to the said clause, Paresh Rawal, who received ₹11 lakh as the singing amount, would have received the rest of his fees only after the film's release, which wouldn't be until next year or 2027.

“The term sheet mentioned that Paresh Rawal would receive the balance amount – ₹14.89 crores – only one month after the release of the film. The senior actor had reservations about this clause,” the source told Bollywood Hungama.

They added that the principal shoot of Hera Pheri 3 was to commence sometime next year.

“This means that Hera Pheri 3 was unlikely to be released before late 2026 or in the year 2027. In short, Paresh would have had to wait for nearly two years to get the rest of his acting fees.”

Legal trouble for Paresh Rawal

Akshay Kumar has sent a legal notice to Paresh Rawal demanding ₹25 crore in damages for ‘sabotaging’ Hera Pheri 3.

According to claims by Akshay and his company, Cape of Good Films, Paresh behaved unprofessionally by quitting Hera Pheri 3 after signing a contract and starting the film shoot in April this year.

Why did Paresh Rawal quit Hera Pheri 3?

Paresh Rawal took to X to confirm his exit from the film, citing that he simply didn’t feel like doing it. While there were reports that he left the project due to creative differences, he clarified by rejecting such claims.

“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 wrote.

Director Priyadarshan had returned for the third instalment in the franchise, Hera Pheri 3, which previously promised to reunite the old cast, including Akshay, Paresh and Suniel in the role of Raju, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte and Ghanshyam.

However, Priyadarshan said that Paresh never informed him or the team about his decision.