Paresh Rawal exits 'Hera Pheri 3', returns signing amount with 15 percent interest: Report

Hera Pheri 3 has remained in the spotlight ever since its announcement, though not always for positive reasons. Just when it seemed that earlier disagreements surrounding the film had been sorted out, fresh reports now suggest that Paresh Rawal has once again distanced himself from the much-awaited comedy sequel.According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Paresh Rawal has allegedly returned his signing amount for the film along with 15 percent interest and some additional compensation. A source told the portal, “His total fees were locked at R. 15 crores. The term sheet mentioned that Paresh Rawal would receive the balance amount, Rs 14.89 crores, only one month after the release of the film. 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, there has been no official confirmation from either the actor or the film’s team regarding these claims. The report further stated that the teaser announcement for Hera Pheri 3 was reportedly filmed on the sets of Bhooth Bangla.Earlier, while speaking to Shubhankar Mishra, Akshay Kumar had also addressed the uncertainty surrounding the project. He said, “Hera Pheri 3 abhi filhaal toh nahi ban rahi… Mujhe khud jhatka laga tha. Koi baat nahi, Welcome bana li. Thoda kuch mantra padhna padega ki sab theek ho jaaye. Abhi ek saal toh nahi hain. Uske bohot saare issues hain, aisa nahi hain ki hum teeno [actors] saath nahi hain."For those unaware, the original Hera Pheri, inspired by the 1989 Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking, became a surprise blockbuster and later achieved cult status as one of India’s most loved comedy films. Its 2006 sequel, Phir Hera Pheri, directed by the late Neeraj Vora, brought back the hilarious adventures of Raju, Shyam and Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, characters played by Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal respectively. Although little is officially known about Hera Pheri 3 at the moment, fans continue to eagerly wait for the beloved trio’s reunion on screen.