Paresh Rawal Demands ₹25 Crore for Hera Pheri 3 Role, Akshay Kumar Mulls Legal Action

The future of Hera Pheri 3 has taken a dramatic turn with veteran actor Paresh Rawal’s unexpected exit from the much-awaited comedy franchise. Rawal, who is beloved for his iconic portrayal of Babu Rao Apte, reportedly demanded a staggering ₹25 crore for reprising his role — a demand that didn’t sit well with Akshay Kumar.

Sources close to the production told India Today that Rawal’s exit was not due to creative differences, as previously speculated, but rather a direct result of the actor’s steep fee expectations. “He believed that the nostalgia associated with his character Babu Rao was the primary reason fans would return to the franchise, and he adjusted his fee demand accordingly,” the source revealed.

The source further added that Akshay Kumar, who plays Raju in the hit franchise, was reportedly irked by the sudden fee hike. Kumar is now considering legal action against Paresh Rawal for breach of contract, with plans to sue him for ₹25 crore — the same amount Rawal had demanded. The film’s shoot has reportedly been halted following the fallout.

Earlier this week, Paresh Rawal broke his silence on social media, clarifying that his exit was not due to any creative rift with the filmmakers. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FILM MAKER. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director (sic).”

The Hera Pheri franchise began in 2000 with the original film directed by Priyadarshan, starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. It became an instant cult classic, followed by Phir Hera Pheri in 2006. Rawal’s portrayal of the bumbling but lovable landlord Babu Rao earned him widespread acclaim and remains one of Indian cinema’s most memorable comic characters.

Despite the current controversy, Rawal is not stepping away from the limelight. He recently wrapped filming for the horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla alongside Akshay Kumar, set for release in 2026, and is also working on Welcome to the Jungle.

As for Hera Pheri 3, fans now wait in uncertainty to see whether the franchise can move forward without its most iconic character.

IT.