Hera Pheri 3 enthusiasts can breathe easy. The highly anticipated comedy series is set to continue despite encountering numerous challenges along the way.
Actor Paresh Rawal, who brought the character of Baburao Ganpat Rao Apte to life, has assured fans that the third installment is progressing, albeit with certain stipulations. He mentioned the ongoing discussions reports of trouble between him and co-star and producer Akshay Kumar, who portrayed Raju in the franchise. The film will also see the return of Suniel Shetty as Shyam. While Rawal's confirmation provided some comfort, the situation remains uncertain, especially since Hera Pheri 3 has been encountering obstacles ever since it was announced that the original director Priyadarshan would be back to direct the sequel.
Paresh Rawal explained the reason for the delay of Hera Pheri 3
The recent clarification from Paresh Rawal indicated that he was not the cause of the delay for Hera Pheri 3; rather, it was due to unresolved issues between Akshay and the producers. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that the film was moving in the right direction and would commence production shortly.
Is Akshay Kumar responsible for the delay?
Not long ago, reports emerged suggesting that Rawal had abruptly exited the film, prompting Akshay, who is also a co-producer, to file a lawsuit against the veteran actor for Rs 25 crore. Highlighting the financial aspect, Rawal discussed in a recent interview with The Lavari Show, where he subtly pointed fingers at Akshay for the complications, referring to it as a "technical issue." He remarked, "All this that had escalated in between that Akshay Kumar has sued me for Rs 25 crore, that is all fine yaa, it’s like kachva chaap agarbatti."
The 70-year-old actor reassured that he was ready to finalize the agreement once the matter involving Akshay and the producers was settled.
Paresh Rawal's inconsistent involvement in Hera Pheri 3 cast
Paresh Rawal's criticism of Akshay is not a new development. Previously, he had also held his co-star accountable, albeit for different reasons.
The saga began in May 2025, when Paresh Rawal chose to exit Hera Pheri 3 due to rumored creative disagreements with Priyadarshan. Rawal expressed that he no longer found his role appealing. At that time, reports suggested that Akshay contemplated legal action against Rawal because of his unexpected departure. However, in June 2025, it was reported that Rawal had rejoined the project. He stated that the issues had been resolved and urged the creators to "honor" the beloved franchise's popularity.
Priyadarshan confirmed no personal disputes
However, the situation did not end there. In September 2025, the production of Hera Pheri 3 was temporarily halted when Rawal left the project once more. Although Priyadarshan confirmed that there were no personal disputes, he attributed the chaos to outside influences, suggesting that some "negative forces" were involved. It was later reported that the shoot will begin in February 2026.
