Paresh Rawal Reacts to Akshay Kumar Suing Him for Exiting 'Hera Pheri 3': 'My Lawyer Has Responded'

The drama around Hera Pheri 3 refuses to end. Veteran actor Paresh Rawal says his lawyer has sent in "appropriate" responses days after Akshay Kumar initiated legal proceedings against him for abruptly exiting Hera Pheri 3.

There were reports that Kumar sent a legal notice to Rawal claiming damages worth ₹25 crores due to his unprofessional behaviour, as the actor quit the film after signing the contract. Kumar's Cape of Good Films had bought the rights to the comedy franchise to make its third instalment, which starred Rawal as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte.

"My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response all issues will be laid to rest," Rawal wrote on X.

Hera Pheri 3 was supposed to be headlined by the film's original cast, including Kumar (as Raju) and Suniel Shetty (as Shyam). Priyadarshan, who had directed the 2000 comedy, was back to helm the third instalment.

In a conversation with the Times of India, Rawal’s lawyer claimed that the actor was never presented with a "script or any substantial content" from Kumar’s production banner, dismissing that an official agreement ever took place.

To make matters worse, there are also reports that the original Hera Pheri producer, Firoz Nadiadwala, has sent a legal notice to Kumar, Rawal, Suniel Shetty and Priyadarshan, claiming that the intellectual property (IP) rights to all characters, including Babu Bhaiya, lie with him.