Bollywood veteran Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed that all is well between him and Akshay Kumar after their recent public fallout over fees and screen space in Priyadarshan’s much-awaited comedy Hera Pheri 3. The actor revealed that the dispute has been resolved and that he is back on board for the threequel of the cult classic franchise, which also stars Suniel Shetty.
Back in May, Rawal shocked fans when he announced his exit from the project, stating on X (formerly Twitter): “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 disagreements with the filmmaker. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr Priyadarshan.” The statement was followed
by reports of Akshay Kumar suing Rawal for ₹25 crore in damages, creating ripples across the industry.
Now, with differences ironed out, the two stalwarts are not only back together in Hera Pheri 3 but are also collaborating on two other comedy ventures—Priyadarshan’s horror comedy Bhooth Bangla and Ahmed Khan’s upcoming adventure caper Welcome to the Jungle. The latter marks their reunion in the beloved Welcome franchise after nearly two decades, since the original released in 2007.
Speaking about the upcoming box-office clashes, Rawal told Galatta India: “Sab humare hi log hain. Sabki picture chalein (All of them are our people only. All of our films should work).” The actor was referring not only to Jolly LLB 3—Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi’s courtroom comedy releasing September 19—but also Anurag Kashyap’s potboiler Nishaanchi, which marks the debut of Aishwarya Thackeray, grandson of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
Rawal himself has a packed slate ahead. Apart from Hera Pheri 3, he will be seen in Ravindra Gautam’s Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, a biographical drama based on the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In the film, he portrays Adityanath’s guru, Mahant Avaidyanath.
The veteran actor has shared a long-standing association with Akshay Kumar, spanning over a dozen films across genres. Their successful collaborations include Mohra (1994), Aankhen (2002), Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), Welcome (2007), De Dana Dan (2009), and the critically acclaimed OMG – Oh My God! (2012). Most recently, the duo appeared together in Sudha Kongara’s Sarfira (2024).
With Hera Pheri 3 finally on track after nearly 20 years of anticipation, the Rawal-Kumar duo is set to reignite the spark of their legendary comic timing for audiences once again.
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