New Delhi: After a month-long controversy over his sudden exit from ‘Hera Pheri 3’, veteran actor Paresh Rawal has now confirmed his return to the third instalment of the cult comedy franchise.
During his recent appearance on Himanshu Mehta’s podcast, Paresh said he has rejoined the ‘Hera Pheri 3’ cast as all issues have been resolved.
“Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi, but it’s just that we had to fine-tune ourselves. After all, all of them are creative, be it Priyadarshan, Akshay (Kumar) or Suniel (Shetty). They are friends for many, many, many years,” he said.
“I believe that when people have loved something so much, then you have to be extra careful. It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can’t take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko do. So, I was of the opinion that sab saath mein aaye, mehnat kare. Aur kuch nahin (I just wanted everyone to come together and work and nothing more.) It is all resolved now,” he added.
Talking about the Rs 25-crore lawsuit filed by Akshay Kumar against him following his exit from the film, Paresh said there is no “controversy.”
The veteran star criticised filmmakers for hiking ticket prices and slammed the use of recliner seats in theatres.
“If the aam janta (general public) shuns your film and only the rich class endorses your films, then it’s wrong. If a middle-class family, comprising 5-6 members, go to watch a film, unke Rs. 5000-6000 toh yuh nikal jaate hai. Also, there’s no guarantee that the film will satisfy you. On top of that, the kids will of course ask for popcorn, soda and ice cream (which also adds to the expenditure),” he said.
“You are supposed to watch a film while sitting. Let ke nahin dekhi jaati (it is not watching while lying). You haven’t come to a spa, you have come to see a film! Also, waiters keep roaming around. We have to tell them ‘Hatt, hatt’. Arre it’s a film, not a wedding event. Because of all this gandagi – gold class and all– you don’t feel like going to the cinemas. It’s okay to sit comfortably on a seat. But why sit (lying down) with a pillow? Aise hi baithna hai toh spa mein jao ya fir mujra dekhne jao (If you want to sit like that, then go to a spa or to watch a mujra)!” Paresh added.
In May, Paresh announced his exit from ‘Hera Pheri 3’ citing that the script and the contract was not clear to him, and that he didn’t feel like doing it.
The news of his exit left fans as well as the ‘Hera Pheri 3’ team, including Akshay and Suniel, disappointed.
Akshay, through his company Cape of Good Films, filed a Rs 25-crore lawsuit for damages.
Directed by Priyadarshan, ‘Hera Pheri 3’ will again see the familiar and loved trio of Akshay, Suniel and Paresh.
Paresh will next be seen in ‘Nikita Roy’, which also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Arjun Rampal and Suhail Nayyar in key roles.
Paresh will also be seen in Priyadarshan’s ‘Bhooth Bangla’, along with Akshay Kumar and Tabu.
