Has Paresh Rawal quit Hera Pheri 3 again? Here is the truth behind the viral reports

'Hera Pheri 3' fans had a worrying weekend after reports started doing the rounds claiming that Paresh Rawal had once again walked out of the popular comedy franchise. But the reports were not new and were actually based on old information from 2025 that had resurfaced online. Several outlets had republished old stories claiming that Paresh Rawal had returned his signing amount along with 15 per cent annual interest and extra compensation for leaving the project. The reports spread quickly on social media, leaving fans worried about the future of the beloved character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte.Interestingly, Bollywood Hungama clarified that the news going viral was actually a year old report that resurfaced. Back in 2025, they had reported that Akshay Kumar's production house, Cape of Good Films, had taken Paresh Rawal to court and demanded Rs 25 crore after he allegedly left the film. It was later reported that Paresh had settled the matter by returning his signing amount of Rs 11 lakh along with 15 per cent annual interest and some extra compensation.Earlier reports had also shed light on the financial details of the deal, revealing that Paresh was set to earn a total fee of Rs 15 crore for the film. Of this, he had reportedly received Rs 11 lakh as his signing amount, with the remaining Rs 14.89 crore to be paid to him after the film's release.Report further stated that the senior actor had reservations about this clause. Also, the film’s principal shoot is to commence sometime next year. This means that ‘Hera Pheri 3’ was unlikely to be released before late 2026 or in 2027. In short, Paresh would have had to wait for nearly two years to get the rest of his acting fees.However, the dispute between Paresh and Akshay was reportedly patched up shortly after the controversy broke out last year, with the actor eventually returning to the franchise. Another clear indication that the reports doing the rounds are outdated is the timeline referenced in the original article itself. The stories currently being reshared still mention that Paresh would have to wait close to two years for the remaining payment if the film were to release in late 2026 or 2027. Given that it is already 2026, the timeline simply does not add up, further confirming that the news is far from fresh.Amid all the confusion caused by the recycled reports, fans of 'Hera Pheri 3' have little reason to worry. According to The Freepress Journal, no fresh developments have emerged to indicate that Paresh Rawal has once again stepped away from the project. By all accounts, Baburao remains a part of the much-loved franchise, and fans can look forward to seeing the iconic character on screen whenever the film finally gets off the ground.For those who may not be aware, the original 'Hera Pheri', inspired by the Malayalam film 'Ramji Rao Speaking', was a surprise blockbuster that went on to become one of the most quoted and beloved comedies in Indian cinema. Its sequel, 'Phir Hera Pheri', directed by the late Neeraj Vora, continued the hilarious adventures of Raju (Akshay Kumar), Shyam (Suniel Shetty), and the unforgettable Baburao Ganpatrao Apte (Paresh Rawal). While the details surrounding 'Hera Pheri 3' remain largely under wraps, fans are eagerly waiting to see the iconic trio reunite on the big screen once again.