Paresh Rawal Returns Hera Pheri 3 Signing Amount With Interest After Exit From Film

In a surprising twist to the Hera Pheri 3 saga, veteran actor Paresh Rawal has not only stepped away from the highly anticipated film but has also reportedly returned the signing amount he received.

Paresh Rawal has returned signing amount for Hera Pheri 3 to the production house.

Source : IMDb

In a surprising twist to the Hera Pheri 3 saga, veteran actor Paresh Rawal has not only stepped away from the highly anticipated film but has also reportedly returned the signing amount he received—along with a 15% annual interest. The move comes amid growing tension over his sudden exit and disagreements over contractual clauses.

Paresh Rawal returns fees for Hera Pheri 3

According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Paresh was offered ₹15 crore for reprising his iconic role of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the third instalment of the cult comedy franchise. However, the actor had “reservations” about a particular clause in the term sheet that stipulated a delayed payment schedule.

“Paresh Rawal has returned the signing amount of ₹11 lakhs with 15% p.a. interest and also a little more money for stepping away from the series,” the Bollywood Hungama source revealed. “Paresh Rawal was paid ₹11 lakhs as a signing amount as per the term sheet. His total fees were locked at ₹15 crores.”

Why Paresh Rawal exited Hera Pheri 3?

One of the main sticking points for Rawal was the clause that deferred the majority of his payment. “The term sheet mentioned that Paresh Rawal would receive the balance amount – ₹14.89 crores – only one month after the release of the film. The senior actor had reservations about this clause. Also, the film’s principal shoot was to commence sometime next year. This means that Hera Pheri 3 was unlikely to be released before late 2026 or in the year 2027. In short, Paresh would have had to wait for nearly two years to get the rest of his acting fees,” the report stated.

His decision to walk away reportedly didn’t sit well with the film’s producers, especially Akshay Kumar, who is also co-producing the film. Following Rawal’s exit, Akshay’s team reportedly issued a legal warning.

Pooja Tidke, Joint Managing Partner of Parinam Law Associates, representing Akshay's production house, told PTI, "I think there will be severe legal consequences. It's of course hurt the franchise. We have written to him letting him know that there are a lot of legal consequences involved. There have been expenses incurred towards the cast, towards the crew, towards leading senior actors, logistics equipment, shooting of the trailer."

About the Hera Pheri franchise

The news has left fans of the franchise both shocked and disappointed. Paresh Rawal’s portrayal of Baburao, the eccentric yet lovable garage owner, remains one of the most memorable comic characters in Indian cinema. His chemistry with Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty was a cornerstone of the Hera Pheri series.

The original Hera Pheri released in 2000, directed by Priyadarshan, while Phir Hera Pheri followed in 2006 under the direction of the late Neeraj Vora. The films also featured stalwarts like Tabu, Om Puri, Johnny Lever, and Gulshan Grover, with Phir Hera Pheri adding Bipasha Basu, Rimi Sen, and Rajpal Yadav to the ensemble.

With Paresh Rawal’s exit and legal complications now looming, the fate of Hera Pheri 3 remains uncertain—even as fans continue to hope for a resolution that brings back the original trio to the big screen.