'Hera Pheri 3': Akshay Kumar Says He Doesn't Appreciate Paresh Rawal Being Called 'Foolish' For Exiting Film

Akshay Kumar might be engaged in a legal battle with Paresh Rawal, but that doesn't mean there is animosity between them. Kumar, on Tuesday, said he doesn't appreciate Rawal being called "foolish" for exiting Hera Pheri 3.

After Rawal walked out of the third instalment of the comedy franchise, Kumar sent him a legal notice claiming damages worth ₹25 crores, citing unprofessional behaviour as the veteran actor quit the film after signing the contract. Kumar is producing Hera Pheri 3 under his banner Cape of Good Films.

At the trailer launch of his recent film Housefull 5, Kumar was asked about the fallout between him and Rawal, and how many on social media had dubbed the latter as "foolish" for exiting the film.

"I don't appreciate my co-star being called 'foolish'. That's not right," Kumar said as he answered the question.

The actor continued, "I have worked with him for more than three decades, we are very good friends, and he is a great actor. I really admire him. Whatever happened with the film, I don't think this is a place where I will talk about it. It is a serious matter that is going to be handled by the court. I don't think I am going to speak about it here."

Hera Pheri 3 was supposed to be headlined by the film's original cast, including Kumar (as Raju), Rawal (as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte), and Suniel Shetty (as Shyam). Priyadarshan, who had directed the 2000 comedy, was back to helm the third instalment, which has now hit a roadblock.

Rawal has claimed that his lawyer has already sent in "appropriate" responses to Kumnar's notice and all the issues will be "laid to rest".

The twist in the tale, however, seems to be that the original Hera Pheri producer, Firoz Nadiadwala, has reportedly sent a legal notice to Kumar, Rawal, Shetty, and Priyadarshan, claiming that the intellectual property (IP) rights to all characters, including Babu Bhaiya, lie with him.