 "Paresh Rawal vs Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone vs Sandeep Vanga: The nasty wars ahead of 'Hera Pheri 3' and 'Spirit'")
Paresh Rawal’s sudden exit from Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty starrer Hera Pheri 3 was a huge shocker and disappointment for fans as well as for the fraternity. While there were reports that Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films, the producer of Hera Pheri 3, sued the actor for Rs. 25 crores for his unprofessionalism, the latest report says that Rawal has returned Rs 11 lakhs to the producers with 15% interest.
Now, a source close to the veteran actor has broken silence and revealed, “Calling someone like Paresh Rawal, a stalwart with four decades of iconic work, ‘unprofessional’ is not just unfair, it’s laughable. Let’s be clear: the film hadn’t even started.”
It added, “There was a promo shoot, not a film schedule. The real shoot is planned for sometime next year. So, the idea that he ‘walked out’ is just the worst theatrical imagination at best.”
What happened?
“ Paresh Rawal has returned the signing amount of Rs 11 lakhs with 15% p.a. interest and also a little more money for stepping away from the series,” said a source to Bollywood Hungama.
“Paresh Rawal was paid Rs. 11 lakhs as a signing amount as per the term sheet. 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. 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,” the source added.
The new statement by Rawal’s team
A source told TOI, that producer Firoz Nadiadwala owns the rights to the original Hera Pheri films — Hera Pheri (2000) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006), has sent legal notices to Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal.
“He has sent legal notices to Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. The legal notice issued asked all of them not to do any promos, endorsements, or any activities related to the Hera Pheri franchise. It also stated that if they go ahead and proceed with it, it will be considered a willful breach. The notice also stated that the IP of all the characters, including Babu Bhaiya are with Nadiadwala," the source said.
The Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga war
Deepika quit Vanga’s film Spirit and was replaced by Triptii Dimri. Now, Vanga took a jibe at the actress in a cryptic post that has gone viral and created an uproar.
The filmmaker wrote- “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA(Non Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are….”
Vanga added, “Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for ? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft.”
The filmmaker continued, “You won’t get it. You will never get it.
Aisa karo…. Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha.”
The Deepika Padukone controversy
Deepika Padukone was all set to reunite with Prabhas for ‘Animal’ director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s next film Spirit. However, reports that have not been confirmed yet, suggest they may have to look for a replacement as she’s no longer a part of it.
A user on X commented stating why it happened. The comment read:
“Reasons for #SandeepReddyVanga Rejecting Deepika in #Spirit Film:
👉#DeepikaPadukone reportedly insisted on 8-hour shifts that barely allows for 6 hours of filming.
👉also demanded whooping 20 Crores for the project & also a share in profits, she allegedly refused to speak her Telugu lines.”
A new source says the film has a lot of bold scenes and maybe it was Padukone’s discomfort that led to her exit.
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