Paresh Rawal pays back signing amount with interest after 'Hera Pheri 3' exit

Paresh Rawal caused quite the stir when he abruptly exited from the third instalment of the Hera Pheri franchise after production began in April. His exit was followed by a lawsuit for Rs 25 crore against the actor filed by his co-star Akshay Kumar, who is also bankrolling the project under his Cape of Good Films banner.

ALSO READ | Akshay Kumar sues Paresh Rawal for Rs 25 crore in damages for dropping out of ‘Hera Pheri 3’

Now, a report by Bollywood Hungama indicates that Rawal has paid back an amount with interest back to the production. A source told the publication that the actor paid Rs 11 lakh, his initial signing amount, with 15% p.a. interest and a “little more money for stepping away from the series”.

The source added that Rawal’s total fee was Rs 15 crore, which he would receive only after the shoot of the film. The 69-year-old was in disagreement with the clause as the film was only slated to come out at the end of 2026 or sometime in 2027. “His total fees were locked at Rs. 15 crores. The term sheet mentioned that Paresh Rawal would receive the balance amount – Rs. 14.89 crores – only one month after the release of the film... Paresh would have had to wait for nearly two years to get the rest of his acting fees,” the person said.

ALSO READ| Akshay Kumar’s legal team on Paresh Rawal’s exit from ‘Hera Pheri 3’

Speaking to PTI, Kumar’s lawyer said that Rawal would face “severe legal consequences” for dropping out of the project. "There's been a substantial amount of money already invested in the film. Shooting had begun. Of course, everyone's synchronised schedules are now disrupted. Professionally, it's affected everyone,” advocate Pooja Tidke said. 

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