Exclusive| Priyadarshan breaks silence on Paresh Rawal's return to Hera Pheri 3: The difference of opinion…

Jul 02, 2025 06:50 PM IST

Filmmaker Priyadarshan finally opens up to HT City about actor Paresh Rawal’s return to Hera Pheri 3, after quitting the film earlier.

Fans of the Hera Pheri franchise heaved a big sigh of relief when actor Paresh Rawal shared recently that he is back to the third installment. The controversy around his exit, in May, had made headlines, reasons for which ranged from monetary issues, to creative differences. Akshay Kumar, one of the leads and co-producer of Hera Pheri 3, had decided to sue Paresh for ₹25 crores for sabotaging the project.

Priyadarshan

Now that Paresh has confirmed his presence again in the film, filmmaker Priyadarshan talks to HT City and expresses his thoughts about things coming back on track, “I am living in south India, whenever a film is signed, I will go to shoot it. I am only committed to Akshay Kumar to do this film (as a maker), I don’t know anybody else.”

He continues, “You won’t see a single comment of mine on the whole issue till today. I don’t believe in the politics of cinema. Suniel, Akshay and Paresh are my best friends. There was difference of opinion between them, that has been sorted. This is all I know. I don’t think anybody else is involved in it.”

Priyadarshan doesn’t name anyone when he says this. But the deduction is that he seems to be referring to the latest statement from producer Firoz Nadiadwala, claiming his brother Sajid played a role in mediating the issues.

“Akshay, Paresh and Suniel told me we all discussed and have decided to do the film, it has nothing to do with any other individual. Somebody is saying so and so is involved, but there’s nothing. To the best of my knowledge, the three actors decided to do the film and informed me,” shares the 68-year-old.

How soon will Hera Pheri 3 go on floors now, we prod. Priyadarshan shares, “I have just wrapped up work on my next Bhooth Bangla, and starting another film with Saif Ali Khan and Akshay. I think I will be doing Hera Pheri 3 next year.”