Johny Lever was asleep in his vanity van when he felt someone touch his feet and massage his leg. He looked up to find Nana Patekar. His make-up man and spot boy watched, astonished that the formidable actor had begun tending to a colleague. “He said, ‘You sleep, don’t get up,’” Lever recalls.

It is this memory that returns as Lever absorbs Patekar’s death in Goa on October 8, aged 75. The actor who could terrify audiences in Parinda (1989), rouse them in Krantiveer (1994) and make them laugh as Uday Shetty in Welcome (2007) was an attentive friend. He called, checked on them and invited them home. “Every 15 days or a month, I would get a call from him,” Lever tells me.

That affection had been there from their first meeting, at an industry event at the Taj hosted by Balasaheb Thackeray. Patekar approached Lever with enthusiastic praise for his work. Their friendship gave Lever a different understanding of the actor’s much-discussed temper. “Whatever was in his heart, he would speak it right to your face,” he says.

The same lack of pretence marked his generosity. Lever remembers Patekar’s support for Baba Amte’s Anandwan, the community for people affected by leprosy and other disabilities. “Nana used to give three-quarters of his earnings to Baba Amte’s Anandwan,” he says, recalling help offered without publicity. “That man was very unique. He had a heart like a saint.”

For director Anil Mattoo, that instinct to help became personal after his brother Sharad died of a heart attack last year. Patekar called and supplied a doctor’s contact in Pune, should Mattoo need one. “He would pick up my phone in a minute,” he says. It was the reassurance of a friendship stretching back four decades, to a time when Mattoo was championing Patekar’s talent.

Mattoo had seen him in the Marathi play Purush and recommended him for a role in N Chandra’s Ankush (1986), originally intended for Ravindra Mahajani. The film’s unemployed young men needed an actor who could make their frustration convincing. “He was a powerhouse with raw energy,” Mattoo says.

That energy was tested on a production with little money. Mattoo remembers fight scenes with real bottles and no fight master; Sunil Dutt, watching, wondered whether the actors intended to make another film. By Yeshwant (1997), Mattoo was directing Patekar himself, drawing on his conviction to portray an honest policeman confronting corruption.

The famous “Ek machhar…” sequence grew out of that conviction. Patekar suggested the line, Mattoo says, and lyricist Sameer developed it into a song. When Farah Khan heard the track, she wondered what she could choreograph to it; Mattoo eventually directed the sequence himself. Its force, he felt, came from the honesty of Patekar’s delivery.

The collaboration left Mattoo eager to return to Yeshwant with a remake or sequel. There was no finished subject, and Patekar had not signed, but Mattoo felt sure he would consider it. “He never refused a film offer from me,” he says.

That readiness to back an idea extended beyond cinema. Classical vocalist Rahul Deshpande remembers proposing a national audience for Vasantotsav, the festival honouring his grandfather, Vasantrao Deshpande. Patekar, whose affection for Vasantrao had extended to Rahul, replied, “We will take it to the international level.” He involved himself in the smallest details, treating it as a family occasion.

Deshpande valued his perceptive observations on ghazals, natyasangeet and ragas, but learnt most from watching how he lived. “His concern for farmers, drought-affected families and people in distress was not something he merely spoke about; he acted on it,” he says. The NAAM Foundation, founded with Makarand Anaspure in 2015, gave that concern a continuing purpose.

Producer Firoz Nadiadwala had discussed joining Patekar in that work for farmers. They also had films in mind, but their friendship, begun in 1990, preceded their professional association on Welcome. “I will not say he was, he is my elder brother,” Nadiadwala says.

That closeness allowed blunt conversations over meals at Patekar’s Khadakwasla farmhouse. Patekar would laugh and ask, “Kaisa baat karta hai re tu?” They had spoken only the previous evening and expected to meet in Mumbai shortly. “He was normal, everything was okay,” Nadiadwala says.

He treasures a photograph of Patekar with his three children, taken at their office last year. “For me, he is always going to be there,” he says. “It’s just that I won’t see him.” Lever cannot stop thinking about his friend either. Audiences will remember a voice that commanded attention; those who knew him will remember how readily he gave them his.

They have made audiences laugh across three franchises and now the cult quartet is ready to take on the undead. mid-day had earlier reported that producer Firoz A Nadiadwallah was planning to reunite Paresh Rawal, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor, and Suniel Shetty, potentially for the fourth instalment of the Welcome franchise (More mischief in the making, March 8). Now, a source reveals that the foursome will reunite in director Ahmed Khan’s yet-untitled zombie comedy, headlined by Tiger Shroff.

The film will see the veteran actors reprise their iconic characters — Yeda Anna (Shetty), Uday Shetty (Patekar), Majnu Bhai (Kapoor), and Dr Ghunghroo (Rawal) — crowd favourites since Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), Welcome (2007) and Welcome Back (2015).

“While the movie is a horror-supernatural-drama, it is also a comedy as it will cater to all kinds of audiences, including children,” shares a source from the creative team. Nadiadwallah wants the film to be “a part of the family universe”.

While Kapoor and Patekar did not feature in Welcome To The Jungle, Rawal appeared as Das rather than Dr Ghunghroo. “The idea was to bring back their characters in some way as people love and miss them.”

Shroff’s action hero persona is certain to draw children to theatres, the source assures. “Tiger will play the main protagonist who fights the zombies. Children love and connect to him and that was a major reason for getting him on board.” The veteran actors are also “excited to play the 2.0, new-age versions” of their iconic characters.

“Firoz wants a grand, stylish, and larger-than-life look and feel of the film with ample VFX and comic doses. The film will be shot in UAE, Europe, and across India, and is expected to roll by end of the year. Once the scripting is complete, the heroines will be finalized,” adds the insider.

Having worked for the first time with the trio of actors Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, along with producer Firoz Nadiadwala, on the recent hit Welcome To The Jungle, director Ahmed Khan has built a strong rapport with the team. With the same team behind the Hera Pheri franchise, Khan opens up about the possibility of directing its third instalment after Priyadarshan stepped down from the director’s chair.

“That’s a spot which everybody would want to be in. Akshay, Suniel, Paresh, Firoz and Hera Pheri are like a family, and for me, I am a part of that cinema. So, whenever it is made, I am going to be a part of it, irrespective of whether I direct it or not. We will make it together,” he says.

Speaking on how the trio remains inseparable from their Hera Pheri characters, the 52-year-old says, “When I had all three of them in my film, I didn’t read them as Babu Rao, Shyam and Raju... But the audiences’ eyes are well tuned to see them as that. Their timing is still the same. Many times, I had to break it. That was my only battle with them,” he shares.

While confirming his association with the franchise, Khan also shares that his immediate priority is launching his son, Azaan Khan. “I am just concentrating on my son, who keeps looking at me with the question of when his chance is coming. I am focusing on his launch this year. I am also planning another big film which will be announced soon,” he ends.

A successful film encourages a director and an actor to reunite professionally. Add a 33-year friendship to that, and the combination’s gold! Who knows that better than Ahmed Khan? The director revealed to mid-day that boosted by the success of Welcome To The Jungle, he is set to reunite with Akshay Kumar for his next. 

So, is another action comedy in the works? Maybe, maybe not. Khan shared, “With Welcome To The Jungle becoming a success, we had to work together again. I am so happy that the film has done well, and the cast is happy too. Akshay and I are planning something soon. We are in talks regarding two-three different genres — action comedy, romantic action drama, and an out-and-out action movie. Even Akshay has a script that he has told me about. We have to finalize one of our ideas. Once that and the dates are finalised, we’ll announce it.”

Rumours were rife that for his next, Khan would start a zombie comedy with Tiger Shroff and Shanaya Kapoor in the lead. Talks of Welcome 4 also did the rounds.

Denying those reports, the director said, “Rumours abound when movies are a hit, but it’s not true as of now. My next is with Akshay. It’s a joy working with someone as professional as him. I like action and can do it on a bigger scale with Akshay. Dance, action, drama — it all comes out organically with him.”

With Kumar and Khan attached to the project, it won’t be surprising if either Firoz A Nadiadwallah or Sajid Nadiadwala produce it. The director remained tight-lipped, only saying, “Dono se dosti hai. They love Akshay and me.”

-----------------------------------

Ahmed Khan’s home production ‘Baap’, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt, and Jackie Shroff, is gearing up for a release this year. “Zee Studios is finalizing the release date and marketing of the movie. I have completed the movie and handed it to them. It’s their baby now,” said the filmmaker.

Actor Akshay Kumar is riding high on the success of Welcome To The Jungle. At a time when every theatrical release feels like a gamble, the film’s strong box-office run has reaffirmed the actor’s enduring connect with audiences. Equally at home in action and comedy, Kumar sits down for a candid chat, making one thing clear at the outset: “Dekh, main dil se bolunga jo bolunga, headline ya TRP ke liye nahi.” Excerpts:

That I have some secret machine at home that produces four films a year! But it’s all about time management and discipline. Another misconception is that because I’ve been around for more than three decades, everything comes easy to me now. It doesn’t. Every Friday still feels like an exam result. Every film still gives me butterflies. The day I stop being nervous or excited about a new project, I think that’s the day I should retire. So no secret formula... just discipline, consistency and still having the hunger of a newcomer.

Being relevant and understanding what audiences want is one of the hardest things to predict. Sometimes you need to give audiences something they didn’t even know they wanted. Following trends doesn’t guarantee success either. The trick is not to be scared. If you believe in something, go for it wholeheartedly. There is no formula, just a lot of guts and prayers.

The most important person I wish to thank for not only today but also the past 20 years is (filmmaker) Anees Bazmee ji. This man is the creator of Welcome, without his genius filmmaking none of the 30+ cast members of Welcome To The Jungle, would be standing here enjoying this weekend, especially me.

The first rule of martial arts is to never forget where you come from… I will cherish Anees ji for what he has given us all and the road he paved for so many of us.

Welcome To The Jungle is quite literally standing on the shoulders of giants. From Anees ji, Ferozji (A Nadiadwala, filmmaker), Anil ji (Kapoor, actor) and Nana ji (Patekar, actor) and now my friend Ahmed (Khan, director of Welcome To The Jungle).

Just two words: Jai Mahakal!

That you can’t always trust your instincts. Sometimes you can love, admire and be excited about a project, yet it simply doesn’t connect with the audience. But I’m not the kind of actor who is only looking for blockbusters. There are so many stories to tell and so many talented artistes and technicians to work with. Some of my films over the last five years have been my favourites, and others I’m not sure even my family went to see. But I never stopped trying. Better to be relentless than too scared to make your next hit or flop.

The number of hungry artistes, writers and debut directors getting opportunities excites me. Personally, having come from the background that I have, I still love good old-fashioned action, memorable dialogues and songs you can listen to on repeat. Today everything moves so fast. One minute something is viral, the next minute it’s forgotten. All you can do is try to be the best version of yourself and hope people connect with it.

I do get nervous, but not to the point where I can’t eat or sleep. Give me home-cooked food and a pillow any day of the week and I’m happy. These days, I’m more nervous for everyone else involved in the film. I’ve experienced success, failure, heartache and triumph enough times. I just want the best for everyone around me.

Be authentic. Be original. Don’t try to look, dance or act like someone else. Be a producer’s actor and remember that you’re only as big as your last hit film. Stay humble on your way up, otherwise the fall will be much more painful.

Always have, always will. You never know where the next great idea will come from.

No matter how much you do later, there is no substitute for being present in a child’s life. Luckily, my wife (former actor and author Twinkle Khanna) understands better than anyone, but it’s hard for a child to understand why Daddy has to leave home to entertain others when all he wants is to make them laugh the most.

The earlier Welcome films were madness in a living room. This one is madness in a jungle! We’ve taken the chaos, multiplied it by ten and dropped everyone into the middle of nowhere.

There are helicopters, action sequences, mistaken identities and so many characters that even we sometimes needed a headcount on set. What makes it fresh is that it’s not just a comedy of dialogues anymore. It’s comedy on a much bigger canvas — an adventure-comedy where something goes wrong every five minutes.

Although Suniel Shetty was initially hesitant about joining Welcome To The Jungle, today, the actor is happy he did a rethink. Ahmed Khan’s directorial venture has reportedly crossed the Rs 50 crore mark over its first weekend.

“Initially I was skeptical about doing it as I wasn’t sure whether justice could be done to so many actors,” said Shetty of the ensemble film that has a principal cast of 30-plus actors. “I knew the script was over-the-top but because I was comfortable with my producer Firoz A Nadiadwallah and Ahmed, I said yes to it.” 

Many have drawn parallels between Welcome To The Jungle — also starring Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, and Disha Patani, among others — and Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder (2008) where a film crew’s shoot in the jungle turns into a real-life combat operation.

The comparisons don’t affect Shetty, who reasoned, “Comparisons will keep happening. What makes a difference is the writing, performances, the director’s vision, and our belief that over-the-top, brain rot cinema will also work. We are nobody to judge. Audiences have enjoyed Welcome To The Jungle.”

After the laugh riot, the senior actor is shifting gears to the action thriller, Hitman. In the Sachin Ravi-directed offering, Shetty plays a mentor to Tiger Shroff’s character. Chatter suggests that Shetty’s role has grey shades — something that he remained tight-lipped about, only saying, “I cannot say anything till the producer announces it. Grey is always good, but black never is.”

Suniel Shetty noted that making comedy films is as important as doing spectacle films like ‘Dhurandhar’. “I love Aditya Dhar’s cinema. For me, entertainment is [a movie] that appeals to kids and families. The way they are going to the theatres for ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ speaks for itself,” he said.

Mumbai: Amboli police on Monday filed an FIR against film producers Gopala Pillai Vijaykumar and M Paul Michael for alleged cheating and defamation linked to the copyright of the 1989 Malayalam film ‘Ramji Rao Speaking', which was remade into Hindi movie ‘Hera Pheri'.

The action was taken based on a complaint by Hindi film producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who alleged that the two made false copyright violation claims about ‘Hera Pheri'.

As per the FIR, the remake rights of ‘Ramji Rao Speaking' were sold in 1993 by Sarga Chitra to Compact Disc India, and Nadiadwala's firm legally purchased the rights from it for Rs 4.5 lakh on March 24, 2000. He acquired the copyright for Hindi and other languages, excluding Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

Nadiadwala's complaint said: "In 2000, producers M Paul Michael and Siddique-Lal claimed copyright and story rights and attempted to prevent the global release of ‘Hera Pheri'." He said he later filed a complaint with the Mumbai police chief. He alleged Michael and Siddique, through intermediaries, then contacted him, threatened him and demanded money. They allegedly warned that they would create legal hurdles at the last moment before the film's release, causing fear and pressure. Siddique died in 2023.

On Dec 30, 2024, Nadiadwala said, he received a copyright violation notice from Vijaykumar and Michael. In Oct 2025, Vijaykumar filed a petition in Madras HC, saying Seven Arts International Ltd purchased the copyright of ‘Ramji Rao Speaking' from Sarga Chitra for Rs 3 lakh in 2022. He alleged that this claim was fabricated and intended to cheat, and that the accused were now demanding Rs 60 lakh and 25% of the profits from ‘Hera Pheri'.

Nadiadwala alleged the accused spread false information about copyright on online platforms and in the media.

Ahmed Khan’s directorial venture is nearing the finish line. At the end of March, mid-day reported that producer Firoz A Nadiadwallah had deferred a song shoot in Dubai amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia (Welcome to Plan B — March 31). However, the director-producer duo remain keen to film in Dubai to capture a luxe lifestyle — and to shoot at least Suniel Shetty’s entry sequence in Welcome To The Jungle, alongside Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, and Rajpal Yadav.

The plan is now locked. The cast will fly to Dubai in mid-May to film the sequence. “Suniel’s introduction scene will be one of the most expensive [sets] in the movie, shot over three days,” a source reveals. The makers want Shetty’s entry to echo Feroz Khan’s iconic introduction in Welcome (2007). 

“Suniel plays a loveable don. The scene will be shot mid-sea, onboard a 200-foot sleek yacht with a helipad. Suniel and Arshad will get down from the helicopter and meet [the others].”

The producer, in fact, insisted on shooting in Dubai. “It’s one of the most important scenes in the movie. The team also felt that only Dubai suited the ambience and mood we wanted for this universal family entertainer,” explains Nadiadwallah. Shetty, whose association with Dubai dates back 35 years, says he “feels  safe safe and secure in Dubai”.

“We will be shooting a grand sequence there in May. I am very excited to work with Firoz bhai,” the actor shares.

Alongside shooting the film, Suniel Shetty will host a business reality series, ‘Falcons Of Majlis’, which is “an investment-driven show similar to ‘Shark Tank’. I believe that Dubai will be back to its glory [soon]. Praying that peace comes to the world soon,” he adds.

The ripple effects of the West Asia conflict can be felt the world over, including in the Hindi film industry. On March 30, mid-day reported that the Dubai schedule of Shah Rukh Khan’s King had to scrapped (When war affects the King’s strategy, Mar 30). Now, the latest film to call off its Dubai shoot is the Akshay Kumar-starrer Welcome To The Jungle. Director Ahmed Khan was to take his ensemble comedy to the emirate for a song shoot, but is now reimagining it in Mumbai.

Postponing the track’s filming was out of the question as it includes the entire primary cast — Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Raveena Tandon, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Lara Dutta Bhupathi, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shreyas Talpade, and many others — and getting their combination dates a second time over would have been difficult. So, the director did the next best thing. 

A source revealed, “Elaborate sets will be put up in Madh Island, Golden Tobacco Studio, and Film City in Goregaon. Created by production designer Sailesh Mahadik, the sets will depict night clubs, casinos, and private jets. Ahmed and producer Firoz A Nadiadwallah essentially imagined it as a glamorous song that shows how the rich live the good life. That’s why Dubai would have been the perfect location. The unit waited for a month for things to settle down there, but when they didn’t, they shifted the location.”

Khan will begin the song shoot on April 15. Confirming the location shift, the director told mid-day, “We will now shoot the song in Mumbai. It’s a glamorous song with the entire cast.”

In a strange twist of events, the Madras High Court has questioned producer Firoz Nadiadwala on whether his film, Hera Pheri 3 is being made at all, because a production house - Seven Arts International - has claimed that they, and not Nadiadwala, own the copyright to the Hera Pheri franchise.

As reported by Bar and Bench on Thursday, Seven Arts International Limited has filed a petition stating that Nadiadwala was authorised to make only one Hindi remake of the Malayalam original Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), which was released as the Priyadarshan-directed Hera Pheri in 2000. However, Nadiadwala went on to produce a sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), and has now sold the rights for the third part to actor Akshay Kumar’s production house.

G P Vijayakumar, MD of Seven Arts International tells HT City, “I bought the entire rights for the Hera Pheri franchise from the original producers of Ramji Rao Speaking, Adithya Films in 2022. They informed me that Firoz Nadiadwala had been given the right to make one Hindi version of the film. But he made a second version which released in 2006. He is not authorised to make a sequel or prequel, or use the characters.”

When asked why action was not taken after Phir Hera Pheri, Vijayakumar reasoned, “While the first film was directed by Priyadarshan who we are close to, the second film was directed by Neeraj Vora, and the copyright holders at the time didn’t realize what happened. The original producers and I realized much later that Nadiadwala has done a violation and cheating. At the time we thought jo ho gaya, ho gaya. We will produce the next version in Hindi. We approached actor Akshay Kumar for the same and that’s when we got to know that Nadiadwala has sold the rights to Akshay’s production house Cape of Good Films. We sent Nadiadwala a legal notice on how he could sell something he did not own. I had no option but to move the Court.”

We reached out to Akshay’s production house and the spokesperson said that they bought the rights from Nadiadwala under the impression that he owns them.

Efforts to reach Nadiadwala met with no response while Priyadarshan who is supposed to direct Hera Pheri 3 said, “No idea”.

--------------------------------------------------

”We have legitimately bought the rights of Hera Pheri 3 from Firoz Nadiadwala, and we are rightful owner and producer of the film Hera Pheri 3. We shall wait for legal clarity in the case,” says Rana Rakesh Bali from Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Films

Mumbai is hardly the place one associates with jungles. But trust director Ahmed Khan to turn parts of the city into dense forests for Welcome To The Jungle. mid-day has learnt that on December 5, the director began shooting the climax that will play out across five venues — Film City, Royal Palms, Borivali, and two locations in Aarey Colony. The production team, led by Shailesh Mahadik, has built sets depicting wilderness.

The original plan was to film the climax of the ensemble comedy — starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Raveena Tandon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Lara Dutta, Paresh Rawal, Tusshar Kapoor, and others — in the forests of Uttar Pradesh.

A source revealed, “But the biting cold was a deterrent. Plus, the production team realised it’d be logistically impractical to shoot in the forests with a 34-member cast and 500-strong unit. Given the kind of stunts involved, Ahmed and producer Firoz A Nadiadwala decided to relocate the shoot to Mumbai.”

After this leg is complete, the director will travel to North India to capture wide shots in the jungles. Khan told mid-day, “It’s wonderful that we’re shooting the climax now. Getting so many actors together was the only challenge, but once on sets, it’s a party.”

After shooting across the UAE, Welcome To The Jungle has returned to India for its finishing touches — the final 20-day schedule of the ensemble comedy. In 2023, Akshay Kumar launched the franchise with a musical teaser before filming pivotal scenes in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al-Khaimah. Now, director Ahmed Khan’s venture is wrapping up its Mumbai schedule, which began on November 6.

“A few setbacks have happened, but the shooting has always been on track,” shares a source from the unit. “Ahmed shot two romantic songs in Dubai with Akshay and Disha [Patani] at the end of October. He returned on November 5 and resumed shooting the next day. Ahmed and producer Firoz A Nadiadwala are leaving no stone unturned to make the film look grand and larger-than-life with its 34-member star cast,” the source adds.

To shoot the scenes, Khan wanted specific plants and trees in the frame to enhance the film’s aesthetic. The source reveals that production designer Shailesh Mahadik created an expansive jungle in Film City, Goregaon, where “action and comic scenes are being shot. The area is so big that actors and units are using choppers to travel from one area to another.”

The director confirms, “Post [the shoot in Mumbai], we will head for a 20-day climax schedule featuring all the actors together followed by a song sequence.”

Khan is scouting for forest areas in North India for the last leg of the shoot, where action master Abbas Mogul will choreograph the sequences, including “chase sequences, gun fights, blasts, and a sequence with 300 horses in the climax.” Source adds, “The last schedule will begin from the first week of December, after which an introduction song with the entire cast will be shot in Dubai.”

Dec 2023 - Filming began.

Early 2024 - Delays due to scheduling conflicts.

August 2024 - Set of a Kashmir town was destroyed due to heavy rains and had to be rebuilt.

Mid-June 2025 - Kashmir schedule deferred due to unrest following the Pahalgam attack.

October 2025 - Production activity resumed in phases.

Over three generations and multiple decades, the Nadiadwala family has backed numerous films, from the 1960’s hits Taj Mahal (1963) and Patthar Ke Sanam (1967) to the iconic Hera Pheri (2000). Today, as the family celebrates founder and late producer Abdul Karim Nadiadwala’s 115th birth anniversary, his grandson Firoz Nadiadwala reveals to mid-day that he is set to launch the banner’s own film universe that will include new chapters of his previous offerings Hera Pheri, Awara Paagal Deewana (2002), and many more.

Shedding light on his plan, Firoz says, “There are cop, horror, and spy universes, but after years of work, we have created a universe of all genres for the family audience. We will make sequels and prequels of Aan: Men at Work [2004], Awara Paagal Deewana, Deewane Huye Paagal [2005], and new editions of the Welcome and Hera Pheri franchise. We’ll also have new movies. All the films will be clean and larger-than-life. That’s why I call it the ‘Family Universe’, which will have new and older actors joining in and crossover characters.”

His family banner, AG Films, celebrated its 75th year in the movies this June. With the universe, the idea is to take forward the banner’s legacy of films that are a blend of comedy, romance, and thrills. The producer is also revisiting his father A A Nadiadwala’s Mahabharat (1965).

He adds, “We were the first to make a feature film on the Mahabharat. Now I am making Mahabharata — Right Over Might.”

Comedian Kapil Sharma’s The Great Indian Kapil Show has landed in trouble before its season finale airs today. Firoz Nadiadwala, who produced Hera Pheri (2000) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006), issued a cease-and-desist notice to Netflix India on September 18, citing copyright, trademark, and character rights infringement with regard to the comedy show’s latest promo.

In the promo of the final episode that sees Akshay Kumar as the guest, show regular Kiku Sharda can be seen dressed as and mimicking Paresh Rawal’s iconic character of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from the Hera Pheri franchise. This hasn’t gone down well with Nadiadwala, who has demanded a compensation of R25 crore from the streaming giant.

Talking exclusively to mid-day, Nadiadwala recalled that he was shocked on seeing the promo earlier in the week. “I was shocked and dismayed to see The Great Indian Kapil Show’s promo featuring the character of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte aka Babu Bhaiyya in a buffoonish manner. The character has been exclusively conceived, developed, and produced under our creative and commercial authority. The rights, derivatives, underlying rights, IP rights, and copyright of all the Hera Pheri characters are exclusively owned by our company till universal perpetuity. My advocate Sana Raees Khan served the notice to Netflix on Thursday,” he said. mid-day is in possession of a copy of the notice.

The notice not only instructs the streamer to remove the Baburao references from the promo, but also states that airing the episode with those portions will lead to additional legal consequences. Nadiadwala added, “Use of the character in the promo constitutes a blatant act of infringement, including copyright violation. Baburao is a pure character for us, created beautifully by Paresh Rawal. This show is portraying him like a buffoon! We have asked for Rs 25 crore towards damages for using the character [in the promo] without authorisation, within two days of receipt of this notice. If they still telecast the show with Baburao’s character in it, those damages will be separate.”

With this move, Nadiadwala’s objective is to set a precedent for every producer “so that nobody can take advantage again”. 

His legal counsel Khan added, “Unauthorized exploitation of my client’s iconic character is not just infringement, it is theft in its most blatant, commercial form.” mid-day reached out to Netflix India, which declined to comment. Sharma didn’t respond till press time.

All is well that ends well, and the two-month controversy surrounding Paresh Rawal’s exit from Hera Pheri 3 has certainly ended on a happy note. On June 28, the veteran actor revealed that he has returned to the franchise’s third instalment that also stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. So, how did the change of heart happen? Especially when things had turned intense, with Kumar — who also serves as the producer — reportedly suing the senior actor for Rs 25 crore for his “unprofessional conduct”, and the latter returning the signing amount along with interest. Apparently, all it took was an honest chat over a phone call.

An insider reveals that Kumar called the veteran actor on his birthday, on May 30. “Paresh’s stance initially softened when Akshay firmly defended him at the Housefull 5 trailer launch, where a journalist called the senior actor ‘foolish’ for leaving Hera Pheri 3. Then on Paresh’s birthday, Akshay called to wish him. The superstar told him that while movies will come and go, their friendship should withstand the test of time as they go back a long way. After that, the two met along with Suniel,” says the insider.

Fans are naturally cheering Rawal aka Babu Bhaiyya’s return to Hera Pheri 3, as is director Priyadarshan. The filmmaker tells mid-day that he was given the good news by the veteran actor on June 30.

“Both Akshay and Paresh called to say that everything is sorted. I was in shock when Paresh said, ‘Sir, I’m doing the movie’. He added, ‘I have never had anything except a lot of respect for you. I’ve done 26 movies with you, and I’m sorry to have left the film. There were some personal issues.’ He said that Akshay, Suniel, and he met cordially and sorted it out.”

While rumours suggested that filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala and director Ahmed Khan had a role to play in the patch-up, Priyadarshan denies it.

Now, the National Award- winning filmmaker will sit down to pen the script of the laugh riot. “Whatever I do, I cannot surpass Hera Pheri [2000]. The second part [Phir Hera Pheri, 2006] was bad; it was a copy of a Hollywood movie,” he states, adding that while writing, he is certain of one thing. 

“Hera Pheri cannot happen without any of the three lead characters. Recently, on a flight, a diamond merchant and his family came to me and requested me to bring Paresh back. They said they won’t watch the film otherwise.”

What was supposed to be a laugh riot with Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty is quickly turning into a murky plot. Amid the ongoing legal battle between Kumar and Rawal, owing to the latter’s sudden exit from Hera Pheri 3, news has emerged that Firoz Nadiadwala — who produced the franchise’s first two instalments, Hera Pheri (2000) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006) — has sent a notice to the actors and director Priyadarshan, claiming that he holds the intellectual property rights (IPR) to the franchise and its characters. This comes as the latest twist, as it was widely reported that Kumar had bought the franchise’s rights from Nadiadwala and was producing Hera Pheri 3.

What was supposed to be a laugh riot with Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty is quickly turning into a murky plot. Amid the ongoing legal battle between Kumar and Rawal, owing to the latter’s sudden exit from Hera Pheri 3, news has emerged that Firoz Nadiadwala — who produced the franchise’s first two instalments, Hera Pheri (2000) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006) — has sent a notice to the actors and director Priyadarshan, claiming that he holds the intellectual property rights (IPR) to the franchise and its characters. This comes as the latest twist, as it was widely reported that Kumar had bought the franchise’s rights from Nadiadwala and was producing Hera Pheri 3. 

When mid-day reached out to Priyadarshan amid the recent turn of events, the filmmaker, who is currently in Hyderabad overseeing the post-production of Bhooth Bangla, was disturbed by the allegations made by Rawal’s legal team. He asserted that there is no truth to the rumours about Nadiadwala holding the IPR of the comedy franchise.

“Akshay bought the entire rights of the Hera Pheri franchise for Rs. 10 crore from Firoz Nadiadwala, who had produced the first two [parts]. This is not just for Hera Pheri 3, but the entire franchise. I know this as I have seen the paperwork for it,” he stated. 

The filmmaker further added that Kumar, who has worked with him on seven movies so far, showed him the agreement before they teamed up for Hera Pheri 3. “In fact, only after he showed me the agreement, including the intellectual property rights that Akshay bought from Firoz Nadiadwala, I agreed to come on board,” added Priyadarshan.

At the trailer launch of Housefull 5 on May 27, Akshay Kumar was asked about Paresh Rawal’s exit from Hera Pheri 3. With some deeming it a “foolish” move on Rawal’s part to walk out of the film, the superstar graciously took a stand for his former co-star, as he said, “Using a word like ‘foolish’ for my co-star, I’d not appreciate that. That’s not right. We have worked [together] for the last 32 years.”

He further added, “Whatever has happened is a serious matter, and it will be handled by the court. I don’t think I’ll speak about this.”

Following Paresh Rawal’s exit from Hera Pheri 3, he received a legal notice from Akshay Kumar’s production house Cape of Good Films. Akshay’s lawyer had claimed that “Cape of Good Films incurred substantial production and promotional expenditures, including those for the teaser and initial film shoot, in which Mr Rawal actively participated.” They added that Rawal signed a term sheet on March 27, accepted payment of Rs. 11 lakh, and shot for a teaser on April 3.

On Sunday morning, the veteran actor shared on his X handle that, “My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read my response, all issues will be laid to rest.” Sources close to the development share with detailed reasons behind the exit and details of Rawal’s response to the legal notice.

Rawal’s lawyer Ameet Naik, whose law firm Anand & Naik sent the notice reply, says, “We have replied to the notice and Paresh Rawal’s termination is on strong legal footing.”

Abhishek Kale, Partner, Anand & Naik, shares, “They did not deliver the story, screenplay or a draft of a long form agreement, which was fundamental to the engagement of our client. In the absence of these and also since Mr Nadiadwala, the producer of the original films, issued notice to our client and raised issues on the making of the film, our client chose to exit and returned the money with interest by terminating the term sheet. First, they accepted the monies, but later, unfortunately, sent an untenable notice to our client when knowingly nothing was and is ready, so there can never be any loss.”

The legal team of Cape of Good Films did not respond to our queries till the time of going to press.

A source close to the actor tells us that Rawal signed the term sheet without reading it. It stated that he will receive 99% remunerations after the film’s release. “As per film industry contract standards, actors receive a fee structured across pre-production, production, and release. In this case, the term sheet granted Rawal less than 1% of his remuneration upon signing, with the remaining 99% due only after the film’s release,” the source says. Another source explains, “If Paresh Rawal had read the commercial terms closely, he would not have signed it because the commercial terms were twisted.”

Since last year, Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal have been working on a separate project – titled Bhooth Bangla – directed by Priyadarshan. A source tells us that in March, during the shoot of this film, Akshay approached Rawal with a term sheet for Hera Pheri 3, asking him to sign it, adding that they’ll enter into a long-term agreement later. According to sources familiar with the interaction, Rawal expressed concern at the time, since he had not seen any documents and had no idea about the script or story.

“Akshay told him, ‘Don’t worry, trust me. You’ll see it later in the longform agreement.’ Based on his personal rapport with Kumar and acting in good faith, Paresh Rawal signed the term sheet,” the source adds.

In April, Rawal was asked to shoot a promotional video for Hera Pheri 3. He once again questioned Akshay about the script, the production plan, and the long-term agreement, says the source. But he was told that the promo needed to be filmed in time for the IPL final, and that the details would be worked out later.

The source says, “The promo was eventually filmed on the Bhooth Bangla set, with some modifications. Shooting was initially scheduled to begin in 2026. Rawal suggested deferring the promo shoot to next year. To date, Paresh Rawal has not received a long-term agreement, script, or any official production details.”

As per sources, the intellectual property rights of the original Hera Pheri films Hera Pheri (2000) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006) are with producer Firoz Nadiadwala. A source says, “He has sent legal notices to Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal. The legal notice issued asked all of them not to do any promos, endorsements, or any activities related to the Hera Pheri franchise. It also stated that if they go ahead and proceed with it, it will be considered a willful breach. The notice also stated that the IP of all the characters, including Babu Bhaiya are with Nadiadwala.”

“Paresh Rawal has a longstanding investment in the character of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte (Babu Bhaiya) and wanted to have clarity before proceeding,” says a source close to the actor, adding that he was uncomfortable with the disorganised process and there were no creative differences because the script is still not in place. Rawal subsequently returned the signing money and issued a termination notice, which the production house accepted.

- The term sheet was signed by Paresh Rawal in good faith without legal review. 

- The promotional video was shot in haste to meet the deadline for the IPL final. Paresh Rawal repeatedly questioned about the urgency. 

- Rs. 11 lakh (the signing amount), with 15% interest, was returned prior to the legal notice from Cape of Good Films. The production house accepted the termination and the money. 

- There remains uncertainty over the ownership of the Hera Pheri 3 title. There is an ongoing legal correspondence between Firoz Nadiadwala and Akshay Kumar regarding the franchise itself. 

- Creative differences were not the only reason for Paresh Rawal’s exit. The reasons are no script, no production schedule, no longform agreement, along with the dispute over the franchise and franchise title.

Paresh Rawal, on Saturday, had put a post on X stating that he is quitting Hera Pheri 3. The reasons behind Rawal’s exit remain undisclosed. When asked whether monetary reasons – as was being speculated – were behind his departure from the film, the actor told us earlier, “Money was not the issue. The love and respect of my audience are worth more than any amount of money.” Following this news, Akshay Kumar, his co-star and producer of the film, has sent a legal notice to Rawal, claiming Rs. 25 crore in damages for leaving the film after signing a contract.

Confirming the legal step that Akshay took, Pooja Tidke, Joint Managing Partner of Parinam Law Associates, tells us, “Mr Rawal had publicly acknowledged his participation in the film on January 30, 2025... Acting in complete reliance on his public endorsement and contractual commitment, Cape of Good Films incurred substantial production and promotional expenditures, including those for the teaser and initial film shoot, in which Mr Rawal actively participated. The teaser shoot commenced on April 3 and over 3 minutes of footage was shot with him. He also engaged in creative discussions and planning with fellow cast members, including Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. At no point during this period were any concerns raised by Mr Rawal regarding creative issues.”

Tidke adds, “It is only after these significant investments and scheduling commitments were made that Mr Rawal abruptly attempted to exit the project, citing vague and belated creative differences. Cape of Good Films firmly believes that this justification is an afterthought, contrived to inflict maximum disruption on a beloved film franchise and undermine the goodwill it commands.”

Tidke shares that “Cape of Good Films has demanded damages to the tune of Rs. 25 crores from Mr Rawal. If the demand is not complied with within seven days, the company will be constrained to pursue appropriate legal remedies, including civil and criminal action.” – Niharika Lal

------------------------------------------

The buzz about Hera Pheri 3 going on floors had left fans of the cult comedy franchise quite excited. The anticipation was building to see the film’s trio – Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal – reprise their roles in the third intallment of the franchise. However, Rawal’s recent announcement of quitting the film led to Akshay Kumar sending him a legal notice, claiming Rs. 25 crore in damages. Buzz is that Rawal demanded around Rs. 25 crore as his fee. In a conversation with us, director Priyadarshan, who had returned to the franchise after stepping back from its sequel, opened up about the episode for the first time. “I have no idea what happened. His exit is actually a shock for me. All I can tell you is, I am hurt,” confessed the director.

The filmmaker, who shared a long-standing professional bond with Rawal, is taken aback by the actor’s sudden exit. Priyadarshan said, “I started it (the third part), and all of a sudden, he backed out. He hasn’t given me any explanation. I’m hurt. Paresh was like family, so it is strange that he has not given any explanation. He says he has nothing against me, he respects me, and that there are no creative differences, but I am hurt.”

We reached out to Paresh Rawal, but the actor was unavailable for comment till the time of going to press.

— Vinay MR Mishra

Reacting to Akshay’s move to sue Rawal for Rs. 25 crore, the director responded, “Naturally.”

When asked whether there’s been a fallout between Akshay and Rawal, Priyadarshan said, “I don’t know about it. I live in Chennai, and I don’t know much about the politics of Bollywood. We just wrapped up Bhoot Bangla (the movie stars both the actors – Akshay and Rawal). I’ve never seen any tension on the set. Whatever Paresh asked for, money-wise, everything was agreed upon. He also signed the agreement and took a token as advance. We even shot for a day. After shooting, he never said anything about it. He told me, ‘Let us do it and make it a good film. I didn’t like the second part at all. But this time we have to make it better.’”

Asked if he reached out to Rawal, Priyadarshan replied, “I tried calling him once, but he didn’t answer, so I left it.” On whether he’s considering a replacement, he added, “No, not thinking of anything right now. I’m just shocked.”

------------------------------------------

In a shocking development, actor Akshay Kumar, through his production house, has sent a legal notice to actor Paresh Rawal, claiming Rs. 25 crore in damages for unprofessional conduct and leaving the film Hera Pheri 3 in a lurch after signing a legal contract. Reportedly, the lead cast of the film — Akshay aka Raju, Paresh aka Babu Bhaiya and Suniel Shetty aka Ghanshyam — had started shooting for the Priyadarshan directorial in April.

Paresh confirmed exiting the cult comedy recently. While the reason wasn’t clear, we have learnt that he did not “feel like” being a part of the film. Akshay, who is also the producer of Hera Pheri , bought the legal rights from producer Firoz Nadiadwala.

After reports cropped up speculating the reason for Paresh’s sudden departure, he had clarified that creative differences or money weren’t the reasons for the decision. Sources say that the actor was being paid more than thrice his usual fee for the film. “Paresh displayed a blatant disregard for professional integrity or commercial morality. If he didn’t want to do the film, he should have said so before signing the legal contract, accepting the signing amount and making the producer spend so much money on the shoot,” says a source close to the legal development.

“It is high time Indian actors realise that like Hollywood, producers here, too, will no longer give in to the whims of an actor walking in and out of a film as they please,” adds the source.

Notably, this is the first time in Akshay’s 35-year-long career that he has chosen to sue anyone for unprofessional conduct. When we reached out to Paresh, he says, “I am not aware of anything like this yet.” Paresh is not new to quitting films, sometimes on a whim. He refused to do OMG 2 (2023) claiming he did not like the script. Also, he walked out of the 2009 film Billu after committing to it, which, too, was a Priyadarshan directorial.

Inputs by Yashika Mathur

Director Priyadarshan tells us, “I don’t know why this happened, because Paresh didn’t inform us. Before starting the film, Akshay asked me to check with both Paresh and Suniel, and I did. I don’t have anything to lose, but Akshay has invested money and that could be the reason why he is taking this action. Paresh Rawal hasn’t spoken to me till date.”

Fans of Hera Pheri (2000) will remember Gulshan Grover menacingly saying, “Kabira speaking,” a line that became iconic over the years thanks to the comedy’s runaway success. Now, as Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal are gearing up to reunite with director Priyadarshan for Hera Pheri 3, Grover too will reprise his role.

“Yes, Kabira returns,” says the senior actor emphatically, when we get on a call with him. He adds, “I am super excited about doing Hera Pheri 3. I have met producer Firoz Nadiadwala multiple times and heard the role.”

In the cult comedy, Kabira was seen as a crime lord, who mistakenly calls up Rawal’s Baburao to demand ransom and sets off a chain of hilarious events. Grover was seen in a bit role in the sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006). As the veteran actor returns to the laugh riot’s universe after 19 years, we’ve heard that his character will sport a different look.

Quizzed on this, Grover says, “I cannot say much at this stage. All I can say is that Kabira will have negative as well as positive shades to him.”

Last seen in Indian 2 (2024), the actor is looking forward to the release of his three projects—Love In Vietnam, Nagraj Manjule’s Matka King, and the Karan Johar-backed action comedy fronted by Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan.

Grover reflects, “I believe an actor, who has created a brand, has to be careful about what he takes up in his later years. My dear friend Anil Kapoor has set a good example for this.”