Priyadarshan breaks silence on Paresh Rawal's return to Hera Pheri 3: 'I am only committed to Akshay Kumar to...'

Hera Pheri 3 is finally back on track with the return of Paresh Rawal to the franchise after his controversial sudden exit in May.

Paresh ’s exit grabbed several eyeballs with speculations like creative differences to monetary issues. Akshay Kumar, one of the leads and co-producer, had decided to sue Rawal for Rs 25 crore for sabotaging the project.

With Paresh’s return to the project, director Priyadarshan has expressed his thoughts on 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,” said the filmmaker while talking to HT City.

“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,” he added.

When questioned about when will Hera Pheri 3 will go on floors, the filmmaker replied, “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.”

Announcing his comeback to the franchise, Paresh said in an interview, “There’s no controversy. I believe that when people have loved something so much, then you have to be extra careful. It is our responsibility toward the audience.”

He added, ”The audience has given you so much adulation. You can’t take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko (film) do.”

Rawal continued, “Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi but it’s just that we had to fine-tune ourselves (laughs). After all, all of them are creative, be it Priyadarshan, Akshay or Suniel. They are friends for many, many, many years.”