Mumbai, India — Veteran Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal has responded to a lawsuit from his “Hera Pheri” co-star Akshay Kumar following his unexpected departure from the anticipated third installment of the iconic franchise. The legal action has drawn significant attention from industry insiders and fans who have eagerly awaited the return of the beloved series for nearly two decades.
Kumar, who is also producing “Hera Pheri 3,” has accused Rawal of breaching contractual obligations and is seeking ₹25 crore (approximately $3 million) in damages. The abrupt exit of Rawal, who is known for his role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, has raised eyebrows and led to speculation about the film’s future.
In a social media post, Rawal confirmed that his legal team, led by lawyer Ameet Naik, has formally addressed the lawsuit. He expressed confidence that once Kumar and his team review the response, the situation will be resolved. Rawal, age 69, emphasized his belief in the legality of his exit.
The film, which was poised to bring together Rawal, Kumar, and Suniel Shetty, has been shrouded in uncertainty following Rawal’s sudden announcement. Notably, filmmaker Priyadarshan, who directed the original “Hera Pheri” released in 2000, was scheduled to return for this installment.
Pooja Tidke, a lawyer representing Kumar’s production company, stated that Rawal’s exit may yield significant legal repercussions. Tidke noted that the franchise has been adversely affected by the actor’s decision. There have been substantial expenses incurred for cast and crew preparations, including logistics and trailer filming.
Tidke further highlighted that Rawal had previously expressed his commitment to the project through a January social media announcement, which solidified expectations of his involvement. Contracts and production activities had already begun, with a portion of the film filmed before Rawal’s announcement came as a surprise.
The ongoing legal dispute underscores the importance of contractual agreements in the film industry and the potential ramifications of abandoning such arrangements mid-production. As developments continue to unfold, both fans and industry professionals are closely monitoring the situation, eager for clarity on the future of “Hera Pheri 3.”
This article was automatically written by Open AI, and the people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate. Any article can be requested for removal, retraction, or correction by writing to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.