Exclusive! Priyadarshan address Paresh Rawal's exit from Hera Pheri 3: I am hurt, he didn't give me any explanation ; calls it 'natural' for Akshay Kumar to sue him

The ongoing saga surrounding Hera Pheri 3 continues to unfold, with each new development adding to the controversy. After Paresh Rawal’s sudden exit from the film, reports now suggest that his co-star, Akshay Kumar, is planning to sue him for ₹25 crore in damages for allegedly sabotaging the project.

In an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, the film's director, Priyadarshan, who had made his return to the franchise after stepping back from its sequel, opened up about the episode for the first time. "I have no idea what happened. His exit is actually a shock for me. All I will tell you is, I am hurt," Priyadarshan confesses.

'Paresh was like a family'
The filmmaker, who had a long-standing professional relationship with Paresh, was clearly taken aback by the actor’s decision to leave without any explanation. Priyadarshan continues, “I started it (the third part), and all of a sudden, he backed out. He hasn’t given me any explanation. I'm hurt. Paresh was like a family and he is not giving me any explanation why he has done it. So, without getting his explanation he says that he has nothing against me and he respects me, and there are no creative differences – all those things here. But I am really hurt. I don't know what the conspiracy behind it is.”
Earlier, Paresh Rawal took to social media to clarify that his departure was not due to any creative disagreements, stating, “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 film director.”

Priyadarshan on Akshay suing Paresh
Amid the growing tension, mention to Priyadarshan about Akshay preparing to sue Paresh for ₹25 crore and the director responds, “Naturally.”

Probe him further whether a fallout between Akshay and Paresh was the root cause of the issue, Priyadarshan, shares, 'I don’t know about all this. I live in Chennai. I don't know much about this politics of Bollywood. We just wrapped up Bhoot Bangla (the movie stars both the actors - Akshay and Paresh). I have never seen (any tension) anything. Because he was shooting so comfortably. To the best of my knowledge, whatever he has asked, money wise, everything was agreed. He also signed the agreement. He also took a token as advance. I really don't know. We even shot for one day. After shooting, he never said anything about it. He told me, ‘Let us do it and let's make it a good film. I didn't like the part two at all. But this time we have to catch it up’. All those things he told me. I don't know what happened later. He goes on to add, "I am really hurt. I have made the maximum number of films with him as a director. I thought he would at least give me some explanation for his decision. But he hasn’t. He just said he was leaving the film without giving any reason. No clarity. So, now, everyone—me, Akshay, the whole team—is left in mystery. What is it?"

Ask whether he tried to speak with Paresh directly, Priyadarshan answers, “No, he hasn’t picked up my calls. I tried (calling him) once, and after that, I left it.”
'I have never had an experience like this before'
Despite the growing tension surrounding the film, Priyadarshan made it clear that reconciliation is not on his mind. “I don’t want to know or think about it. That’s not my job. I don’t just do Bollywood films; I work in other languages as well. I have never had an experience like this before with a person to whom I was very close. I was very close to him, and he used to open up everything to me. It looks like a huge conspiracy to me. I don't know what are behind it. That's it," he clarifies.

Are you thinking of replacing him? “No, I am not thinking of anything now. I'm just shocked,” he concludes.

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