This is the first of a two(series) and the last episode (movie) to film.
The trailer of Housefull 5 was released on May 27th ,2025 and the controversy over Paresh Rawal’s exit from Hera Pheri 3 WhatsApp was addressed by Akshay Kumar during the event. Kumar who starred alongside Rawal in the 90s film Mohra, has known him for the past thirty two years which makes their relationship rather unique. Their new venture Bhoot Bangla which Priyadarshan directed is enough to explain what ‘their’ relationship is all about.
Kumar’s Statement
Kumar’s defense was “I have known him for 32 years he is he is a wonderful actor and he does great work.” While in the same speech, he decided to be quite and restrain himself from prison talk that is about the legal battle which is becomes sub judice until altered by the courts so someone decision.
Legal Debate
Cape of Good Films, Kumar’s production house, has accused Rawal for not showing reasonable professionalism by having a signed contract and being on set for the shoot only to call it off, and then later being sued of 25 crore because of alleged unprofessional behavior where in fact having his role as Babu Rao Apte demanded to Bare BabuAPte 25 crores. Kumar’s circles found the claim rather preposterous.
Rawal’s legal council, Ameet Naik captains, argued that fled the scene due to planning deficit disorder was indeed justified. Withdrawing 11 lakh for publicly signing a contract with 15% annual interest was something unreasonable, so they agreed.
Reasons for Exit
Rawal mentioned ‘creative dissatisfaction’ because he wished for new developments to characters instead of exploiting the nostalgia of the franchise. His team pointed out that the lack of essential supporting documents and preparedness drove him to exit.
Reactions
Hera Pheri franchise fans are already discontented, given the enduring legacy of its comedy. Director Priyadarshan was left in disbelief, while Suniel Shetty raised alarms on the feasibility of repeating the success of the original films. Reportedly, Kumar was emotional and even cried at the news of Rawal’s departure.
Current Status
As of now, the legal dispute has created ambiguity around the future of Hera Pheri 3. Both sides seem rigid, with Rawal’s team confident that their answer will resolve all the issues. The argument risks stalling the film’s momentum and progress, further leaving fans hanging.
Table: Key Details of the Dispute
Aspect Details
Parties Involved Akshay Kumar (Cape of Good Films), Paresh Rawal
Lawsuit Amount Rs 25 crore
Reason for Exit Fee dispute (Rs 25 crore demand), ‘creative tensions’, disorderly work environment
Rawal’s Response Returned Rs 11 lakh with interest, claims “honorable” exit
Fan Reaction Disappointing, bewilderment
Project Status Unclear, probable holdups
