Hera Pheri 3 controversy: Has Paresh Rawal returned the signing amount he got? Here is what happened

The controversy around Hera Pheri and its long-awaited third part just does not seem to end. Every few months, a fresh report about delays, disagreements or casting confusion starts doing rounds online. Now once again, actor Paresh Rawal is at the centre of discussion after reports claimed that he has allegedly stepped away from Hera Pheri 3 and even returned the signing amount paid to him earlier.

The latest updates have left fans confused because only some time back, reports suggested that all issues between the actors had been sorted out and the original trio would finally reunite again. But according to fresh claims, the situation may not be as smooth as many people thought.

Reports claim Paresh Rawal returned the signing amount

As per reports published by Bollywood Hungama and several media outlets, Paresh Rawal has allegedly returned the signing amount of Rs 11 lakh along with 15 percent annual interest and additional compensation to the makers.


A source quoted in the reports said, “His total fees were locked at Rs. 15 crores. The term sheet mentioned that Paresh Rawal would receive the balance amount – Rs. 14.89 crores – only one month after the release of the film. The senior actor had reservations about this clause.”

The source further added, “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.”

At the moment, neither the actor nor the makers have officially confirmed these reports. Still, the news has spread widely because fans closely follow every development related to the film.

The controversy has been going on for months

This is not the first time the project has landed in trouble. Back in 2025, reports had already suggested that Paresh Rawal had exited the film once before. That news created a major reaction online because many viewers simply cannot imagine the franchise without Baburao Ganpatrao Apte.

Later, reports also claimed that Akshay Kumar’s production banner, Cape of Good Films, had initiated legal action against the actor and sought damages reportedly worth Rs 25 crore after the sudden exit rumours surfaced.

After that, industry chatter suggested that things had been resolved internally and the original cast members including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal were expected to reunite again. That is why these fresh reports have surprised fans once more.

What Akshay Kumar said earlier

Earlier, while speaking to journalist Shubhankar Mishra, Akshay Kumar had also spoken about the uncertainty around the film.

He said, “Hera Pheri 3 abhi filhaal toh nahi ban rahi… Mujhe khud jhatka laga tha. Koi baat nahi, Welcome bana li. Thoda kuch mantra padhna padega ki sab theek ho jaaye. Abhi ek saal toh nahi hain. Uske bohot saare issues hain, aisa nahi hain ki hum teeno saath nahi hain.”

The actor had also hinted that the film may eventually happen when the timing becomes right.

Over the years, Paresh Rawal’s Baburao became far bigger than just a comedy character. Dialogues from the franchise continue to appear in memes, reels and social media jokes even today. From “Utha le re baba” to Baburao’s mannerisms and expressions, the character has remained deeply connected with audiences across generations.

The original Hera Pheri itself became a cult comedy after release. Inspired by the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking, the movie later gained massive popularity through television reruns and internet culture. Its sequel Phir Hera Pheri further strengthened that fan following.