Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has returned his signing fee for the highly anticipated comedy sequel Hera Pheri 3, along with 15% annual interest, after deciding to withdraw from the project, sources told Bollywood Hungama.
Rawal was originally contracted for a total fee of Rs 15 crore, with an upfront payment of Rs 11 lakh. Insiders revealed that the return of the signing amount followed a legal notice from Akshay Kumar’s production company, Cape of Good Films, due to Rawal’s unexpected departure. According to a source, “Paresh Rawal returned the Rs 11 lakh advance with 15% per annum interest, plus an additional amount for stepping away from the franchise.”
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The actor had concerns about a clause in the contract that stipulated the remaining Rs 14.89 crore would only be paid after the film’s release, projected for late 2026 or 2027. Since principal photography was scheduled to start next year, this meant a wait of nearly two years for the balance payment.
The producers’ legal team expressed dissatisfaction with Rawal’s exit, citing that it has caused disruption to the franchise and incurred financial losses. Expenses had already been made for the cast, crew, senior actors, logistics, equipment, and trailer shooting. The legal representatives warned Rawal of potential legal repercussions for withdrawing from the project.
On May 18, Rawal confirmed his exit through a social media post, clarifying that his decision was not due to any creative disagreements with director Priyadarshan. He expressed deep respect and affection for the director, breaking the hearts of fans who see his role as Baburao as irreplaceable.
Co-star Suniel Shetty also expressed surprise at the news, stating that the film’s progress was heavily dependent on Rawal’s participation. Meanwhile, fans have been speculating on potential replacements for the iconic character, with actor Pankaj Tripathi’s name trending. However, Tripathi humbly declined, stating, “Paresh ji is an incredible actor. I am nothing compared to him.”
With Hera Pheri 3 now facing uncertainty, the film industry awaits further announcements about its casting and production, as the beloved comedy franchise remains in limbo.
