A dispute has reportedly broken out between Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar over Hera Pheri 3. Paresh Rawal allegedly asked for Rs 25 crore to return as Babu Rao, which did not go well with Akshay, who is now said to be considering legal action against Rawal.

According to India Today, the reason behind Paresh Rawal’s exit from the film was not creative differences, but his demand for a higher fee. A source close to the matter said Rawal believed the film’s success would depend on the return of his character. So, he asked for a bigger amount but Akshay disagreed and refused to support the demand. The source also said that Akshay Kumar now plans to sue Paresh Rawal for Rs 25 crore for leaving Hera Pheri 3 midway. The film’s shoot has been put on hold. Earlier, Paresh Rawal posted on X to explain why he left the Hera Pheri franchise.

He said his decision was not due to any creative issues and showed support for director Priyadarshan. He wrote, “I want to make it clear that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I repeat, there is no creative disagreement with the filmmaker. I have full respect and trust in Mr. Priyadarshan.”

The Hera Pheri series began in 2000 with a film directed by Priyadarshan, featuring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. Its sequel, Phir Hera Pheri, released in 2006 and was directed by Neeraj Vora. Both movies became fan favorites for their humor and famous dialogues. Paresh Rawal recently finished shooting Bhooth Bangla, a horror-comedy with Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, set to release in 2026. He is also part of another film, Welcome to the Jungle.