Arshad Warsi reveals he was fired from Jolly LLB 2 by director, Akshay Kumar calls him a ‘strict taskmaster’: ‘Mujhe nikaal dia’

Arshad Warsi started the Jolly LLB franchise in 2013 but was replaced by Akshay Kumar in 2017.

New Delhi | September 10, 2025 03:42 PM IST

Arshad Warsi wasnt a part of the second Jolly LLB film. (Photo: Arshad Warsi/Instagram)

When the first Jolly LLB released in 2013, Arshad Warsi was playing the titular role in the film but in the second film, Akshay Kumar took over that spot. Many wondered why Arshad was replaced in the popular franchise until the makers announced the third part of the franchise starring both Akshay and Arshad. At the trailer launch of Jolly LLB 3, Arshad made a comment about getting fired after the first film, and blamed director Subhash Kapoor for the same.

The trailer launch in Kanpur was attended by the film’s cast members and the director. When Akshay was asked about his and Arshad’s creative input in the film, he said that the director is quite strict about following the script and does not allow anyone to digress from it. “This man is strict about the written word. He makes sure that we say what he has written. If you go beyond it, you might get fired,” Akshay said with a laugh and Arshad jumped in, “Maine pehli film mein bola, mujhe nikaal dia (I tried to give some inputs in the first film, so he fired me.)” After Arshad’s comment, the two had a hearty laugh about the same as Akshay added, “Our director is a strict taskmaster.”

During the same interaction, Akshay was asked about the on screen rivalry between Akshay and Arshad’s characters, and how that worked out during the shoot and he said, “Kalesh toh nahi.” He added, “I really enjoyed working with Akshay. I wish that we continue to make more Jollys. There is only one person who has to handle all our mess, and it’s Saurabh Shukla. He deals with our tantrums. We just have our fun. We fought a bit but we also made the film with a lot of love.”

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Jolly LLB franchise started in 2013 and spoke about corruption within the legal system. In the second film released in 2017, Saurabh Shukla reprised his character, and Akshay Kumar stepped in as the titular Jolly.

Jolly LLB 3 releases on September 19.

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