Priyadarshan on Paresh's exit: 'Akshay had tears in his eyes'

The sudden exit of veteran actor Paresh Rawal from Hera Pheri 3 has sent shockwaves across the industry and among fans of the beloved comedy franchise. Reports suggest that Akshay Kumar, who recently acquired the rights to the Hera Pheri franchise, may have filed a Rs 25 crore lawsuit against Rawal for backing out. Now, director Priyadarshan has broken his silence on the issue and revealed the emotional fallout from the actor’s decision.“He didn’t inform any of us”Speaking to Mid-day, Priyadarshan expressed his disappointment over Rawal’s handling of the situation. “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,” he said. The director recalled that just a week ago, they had shot for Bhooth Bangla with Akshay Kumar.After the announcement, Rawal messaged the filmmaker, 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.”Interestingly, in a previous interview, Paresh Rawal claimed that Priyadarshan had tried to convince him to stay on the project. However, the director insists otherwise: “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.

”Not about money, insists directorSpeculation has been rife that Rawal’s decision stemmed from creative differences over the prominence of the lead characters - Raju (Akshay Kumar), Ghanshyam (Suniel Shetty), and Babu Bhaiyya (Paresh Rawal). However, Priyadarshan denied any such issues, saying, “With me, Akshay has never cut down anybody’s roles. He does not interfere with a director’s vision at all.”

There were also whispers that Rawal was unhappy with his remuneration, something he has already denied, and Priyadarshan backs that up. “All our contracts were signed. Ten days ago, Suniel, Akshay, and Paresh shot a scene and the IPL teaser. It was only after we unanimously agreed to do Hera Pheri 3 that Akshay bought the franchise’s rights,” he explained.

The most heartbreaking revelation from Priyadarshan was about Akshay Kumar’s emotional response to Rawal’s sudden exit. “Akshay had tears in his eyes when he asked me, ‘Priyan, why is Paresh doing this to us?’” he shared. “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.”