The highly anticipated third installment of the 'Hera Pheri' franchise, 'Hera Pheri 3', continues to be mired in controversy, largely revolving around the unexpected exit of veteran actor Paresh Rawal. This development has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the film's future, sparking widespread discussion among its dedicated fanbase.

Akshay Kumar, a pivotal part of the 'Hera Pheri' trio, recently addressed the ongoing situation while promoting his upcoming film, 'Kannappa'. Speaking to Pinkvilla, Kumar subtly acknowledged the turmoil, stating, "Whatever is happening is happening in front of you. Keeping my fingers crossed. I hope everything goes well. Everything will go well only. I know, for sure." His hopeful remarks come amidst a period of significant upheaval for the production.

The crux of the controversy lies in Paresh Rawal's public withdrawal from 'Hera Pheri 3'. Rawal, beloved for his iconic portrayal of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, reportedly referred to the role as a "gale ka fanda" (a noose around the neck) in a past interview with The Lallantop, indicating his reluctance to reprise the character without substantial script development. His sudden departure, following initial confirmations, triggered a legal dispute.

Akshay Kumar's production house, Cape of Good Cinema (also referred to as Cape of Good Films), reportedly initiated legal action against Paresh Rawal. The company allegedly filed a lawsuit seeking Rs 25 crore, citing breach of commitment, disruption of production timelines, and claims that Rawal's decision had sabotaged the film. It was also noted that a "substantial amount of money already invested" and that "shooting had already begun" were factors in the legal move. In response to the lawsuit, Paresh Rawal promptly returned the signing amount for the film, along with interest, in an effort to resolve the matter from his end.

Beyond the legal battles, creative differences appear to be a significant factor behind the rift. Paresh Rawal has been vocal in previous interviews about his dissatisfaction with 'Phir Hera Pheri' (2006), believing it deviated from the original's successful comedic essence. He reportedly insisted on reviewing a complete script for the third part before fully committing, expressing concerns about repeating past mistakes and ensuring the humor remained intact.

On the professional front, Akshay Kumar is currently experiencing success with his latest release, 'Housefull 5', which has performed well at the box office, despite receiving a 2.5-star review from ETimes. The review highlighted the performances of Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, and Kumar himself, while noting the limited scope for female characters and other actors. Kumar is also gearing up for the release of 'Kannappa', a Telugu fantasy drama where he portrays Lord Shiva, scheduled for June 27, 2025.