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'Akshay Had Tears In His Eyes, Asked Why Is Paresh Doing This To Us?', Reveals Priyadarshan

MENSXP | May 23, 2025 11:39 PM CST

Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Paresh Rawal’s sudden exit from Hera Pheri 3 and his legal case with Akshay Kumar, filmmaker Priyadarshan has stated in an interview that the superstar had tears in his eyes and wondered why the veteran actor left the film.

Priyadarshan also stated that Akshay Kumar is going to suffer losses because of Paresh Rawal’s sudden decision to quit the franchise.

The filmmaker told Mid-Day that the reason behind Paresh Rawal leaving Hera Pheri 3 has been “a mystery” to him.

Talking about the controversy, he said, “I am very hurt and shocked as Paresh didn’t inform any of us. He could have picked up the phone and told me before telling the media because we’ve been friends for years. Until last week, we shot Bhooth Bangla together with Akshay. [After his announcement of leaving Hera Pheri 3], Paresh sent me a message saying, ‘Priyan sir, I have nothing against you. I have a lot of respect for you, but I have my reasons for not doing the film.’”

Paresh had stated in an interview that Priyadarshan tried to convince him to not leave the film. When asked about the same, the filmmaker denied any such thing happened and said, “I didn’t try to stop him because he never told me that he was leaving the project. When I tried calling him, he texted, saying, ‘Please don’t call me. This is my decision and it has got nothing to do with you.’ He also wrote that we should work together again.”

Initially, when the reports of Paresh’s exit were out, the reported reason was “creative differences”. However, the actor later refuted those rumours.

Priyadarshan too said the same, “With me, Akshay has never cut down anybody’s roles. He does not interfere with a director’s vision at all.”

On being asked if Paresh Rawal was unhappy because of his remuneration, another thing that the actor himself denied, Priyadarshan replied, “All our contracts were signed. Ten days ago, Suniel, Akshay, and Paresh shot a scene and the IPL [Indian Premier League] teaser. It was only after we unanimously agreed to do Hera Pheri 3 that Akshay bought the [franchise’s] rights.”

The filmmaker added, “Akshay had tears in his eyes when he asked me, ‘Priyan, why is Paresh doing this to us?’ Akshay shouldn’t suffer financial losses because Paresh walked out on a whim. I understand that he will have to take whatever action is required.”

Paresh Rawal, Suniel Shetty and Akshay Kumar will next be seen in Ahmed Khan’s Welcome To The Jungle. The film is 70 percent completed.

Besides that, Paresh Rawal will star alongside Akshay Kumar in Priyadarshan’s Bhooth Bangla, which recently wrapped filming and will release in theatres on April 2, 2026.