Paresh Rawal Confirms Return to Hera Pheri 3: “We Had to Fine-Tune Ourselves”

Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed his return to the much-awaited Hera Pheri 3, marking a major development in the franchise’s ongoing production saga. Speaking on a podcast with Himanshu Mehta, Rawal revealed that earlier disagreements had been resolved and that the original cast is back on board.

“There’s no controversy,” said the actor, addressing the earlier confusion surrounding his exit. “When people have loved something so much, you have to be extra careful. It’s our responsibility to the audience. The audience has given us so much love—we can’t take that for granted. We must work hard and deliver.”

Rawal added, “I believed that everyone should come together and put in the effort. That’s all. It’s all resolved now.”

When asked again whether Hera Pheri 3 with the original cast was officially happening, Rawal affirmed: “Yes, it was always going to happen. We just had to fine-tune ourselves,” he laughed, referring to his longstanding collaboration with Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and director Priyadarshan.

Background: A Rocky Road to Reunion

Rawal’s confirmation comes after a period of uncertainty. Earlier this year, reports emerged that the actor had exited the project, sparking speculation about creative disagreements. On May 18, Rawal clarified via X (formerly Twitter) that his departure was not due to creative differences. “I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan,” he stated.

However, the situation escalated when Akshay Kumar’s production house, which is backing the film, reportedly served Rawal with a legal notice demanding ₹25 crore in damages. The notice claimed that Rawal had accepted a partial payment of ₹11 lakh and had even shot promotional content before walking out.

In response, Rawal’s legal team refunded the amount with 15% interest and issued a formal reply, asserting his rightful termination from the project. “Once they read my response, all issues will be laid to rest,” the actor stated.

Akshay Kumar Stands by His Co-Star

Despite the legal conflict, Akshay Kumar publicly defended Rawal during the trailer launch of Housefull 5. When asked about fan reactions calling Rawal “foolish” for exiting Hera Pheri 3, Kumar said, “That’s not right. I’ve worked with Paresh for over three decades. He’s a great actor and a good friend. These are serious matters and will be handled legally.”

Return of a Cult Classic

With Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty now confirmed to reprise their iconic roles, Hera Pheri 3 is back on track, rekindling excitement among fans of the cult comedy franchise.

Further updates on the production timeline and official release date are expected in the coming weeks.