Paresh Rawal Exits Hera Pheri 3, Returns Signing Amount with Interest

Bollywood veteran Paresh Rawal has officially exited the much-awaited Hera Pheri 3, creating shockwaves across the industry. Known for his iconic portrayal of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, Rawal’s decision has left fans disheartened. The exit wasn’t smooth—after receiving a legal notice from Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Films, the actor returned the Rs 11 lakh signing amount along with 15% annual interest.

Rawal was originally signed for Rs 15 crore, but disagreements surfaced when a clause delayed his full payment until the film’s release in 2026 or 2027. The legal team accused him of causing financial setbacks, citing crew and trailer costs already incurred.

Confirming his exit on May 18, Rawal clarified that he holds no issues with director Priyadarshan, saying he has “immense respect and faith” in him. Co-star Suniel Shetty expressed disappointment, saying Hera Pheri cannot continue without Baburao.

Fans began speculating replacements, with Pankaj Tripathi trending—but Tripathi respectfully declined, stating, “Paresh ji is irreplaceable.” With uncertainty clouding the franchise, the production team must now face both legal and creative hurdles.