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Entertainment, May 27, 2025: Bollywood star Akshay Kumar expressed his anger at a journalist for referring to his co-star Paresh Rawal as ‘foolish’ during the trailer launch event of Housefull 5 in Mumbai. Addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding Hera Pheri 3, Akshay clarified his stance on the issue involving Paresh Rawal.
During the event, a journalist used the term ‘foolish’ while questioning Akshay about Paresh Rawal’s exit from Hera Pheri 3, which reportedly led to a ₹25 crore compensation claim by Akshay’s production house. Visibly upset, Akshay responded, “I will neither support nor tolerate anyone calling my co-star foolish or using such terms.” He added, “I’ve worked with Paresh for 32 years. We are close friends, and he is a remarkable actor. I deeply respect him.”
Akshay refrained from elaborating on the Hera Pheri 3 controversy, stating that the matter is sub judice. “This is a serious issue, and the court is handling it. I don’t think it’s appropriate to discuss it here,” he said.
Paresh Rawal, on his part, clarified that his exit from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences with director Priyadarshan, whom he respects greatly. Instead, he felt the character had little more to offer to the audience. Rumors suggest that Pankaj Tripathi might replace Paresh in the iconic role of Babubhaiya, though no official confirmation has been made yet.
AI/MR
