After Paresh Rawal’s abrupt exit from Hera Pheri 3 and a subsequent lawsuit filed by his longtime co-star Akshay Kumar, Rawal’s legal team has responded. On Sunday, the actor took to X (formerly Twitter) to inform the public that his lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an “appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit”.
ALSO READ | Akshay Kumar sues Paresh Rawal for Rs 25 crore in damages for dropping out of ‘Hera Pheri 3’
Now, in a statement to the IANS, the lawyer alleges that Rawal was not sent a script or a draft of a long-form agreement, both of which were “fundamental” for him. “In the absence of these and also since Mr Nadiadwala (Firoz Nadiawala), the producer of the original films, issued notice to our client and raised issues on the making of the film, our client chose to exit and returned the money with interest by terminating the Term sheet.”
Pooja Tidke, the lawyer representing Kumar’s Cape of Good Film production banner, earlier told PTI that a few scenes were shot, including a promotional video. Tidke said that “severe legal consequences” would follow as a substantial sum had already been invested in the film and the production had incurred heavy costs.
Rawal’s lawyer responded: “First they accepted the monies but later unfortunately sent an untenable notice to our client when knowingly nothing was and is ready including no story and cloud over the title: so there can never be any loss. I hope they would accept this reality and move on from our client (sic).”
ALSO READ | Paresh Rawal pays back signing amount with interest after 'Hera Pheri 3' exit
Hera Pheri featured the trio Kumar and Suniel Shetty, two tenants, and Rawal, their landlord, desperate to get rich quickly. This year marks the 25-year anniversary of the classic comedy and 19 years since its sequel, Phir Hera Pheri, which released in 2006.
