Money, Lawsuits, and a Comeback: Inside Paresh Rawal's 'Hera Pheri 3' Rollercoaster
Few Bollywood sequels have sparked as much buzz—and drama—as the new chapter of *Hera Pheri*. The real plot twist, though, happened off-screen with Paresh Rawal, whose name has become inseparable from his iconic character Baburao. This time, the talks aren’t just about his comic timing, but about an eyebrow-raising fee, a legal scuffle, and a sudden exit that had the whole industry talking.
Back in May 2025, Rawal was all set to pocket ₹15 crore for his role in *Hera Pheri 3*. To start things off, he accepted a signing amount of ₹11 lakh—a far cry from the ₹16-17 lakh he reportedly took home for the original film in 2000. That’s an 8723% jump in fees over nearly 25 years, a figure that had fans and movie insiders equally stunned.
But all was not smooth behind the curtain. The contract had Rawal waiting for the majority of his payment—₹14.89 crore—to roll in only after the movie hit theaters, a release date that was already pushed back to 2026 or even 2027. Leery of such a long wait, Rawal decided to step away from the project altogether. Importantly, he returned the ₹11 lakh signing amount, this time with an extra 15% interest, trying to keep things amicable and transparent.
This move, however, didn’t go down well with Akshay Kumar’s production house. They filed a hefty ₹25 crore lawsuit against Rawal, accusing him of sabotaging the movie's shoot and damaging its prospects. It was a rare, public clash involving some of Bollywood’s biggest names, capturing attention across film magazines and social media timelines.
Rawal, on his part, stood his ground. He insisted that there was no malice or hidden motives, only a clear discomfort with how the payment schedule was structured. He also stressed the importance of the fans' expectations, hinting that integrity and transparency mattered more than a rushed payday.
The Reunion: Baburao, Raju, and Shyam Back Together
After plenty of behind-the-scenes talks and lawyer meetings, something shifted. Rawal and the makers hashed out their differences—exact details are still tightly under wraps—and he agreed to rejoin the project. The news instantly set the internet ablaze, with nostalgic fans sharing classic Baburao memes and counting down the days for the reunion of the beloved trio: Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. The director, Priyadarshan, whose name alone can get any comedy lover’s hopes up, is steering the much-awaited sequel.
The back-and-forth over Rawal's massive fee has shone a light on how big the stakes are in today’s Bollywood, especially for franchises with a dedicated fanbase. Payment structures, creative control, and the expectations riding on cult favorites make sure these movies are anything but straightforward business.
As things stand, Rawal’s return means we get to see Baburao’s quirks once more. And with production now back on track, the third *Hera Pheri* is already shaping up to be more than just another comedy—it's a symbol of how modern Bollywood mixes loyalty to story, audience, and, yes, game-changing paychecks.