Paresh Rawal on the clash of his film Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi with Akshay Kumar’s Jolly LLB 3: ‘Sab humare hi log hain’

Before they reunite on screen for Bhooth Bangla, Welcome to the Jungle, and Hera Pheri 3, Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar will star in films releasing on the same day on September 19.

By: Entertainment Desk

Mumbai | September 14, 2025 02:05 PM IST

3 min read

Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal's films will clash on September 19.

A couple of months ago, Paresh Rawal had a pretty public fallout with Akshay Kumar over his fees and role in Priyadarshan’s upcoming, long-awaited comedy Hera Pheri 3, in which Kumar serves as a producer. However, it ended with Rawal confirming that the issue was resolved and he’s back in the threequel of their 2000 cult comedy, also starring Suniel Shetty.

Before Hera Pheri 3 goes on floors, Kumar will be seen in another comedy threequel, Subhash Kapoor’s Jolly LLB 3, slated to release in cinemas on September 19. Rawal is also coming up with his next film, Ravindra Gautam’s biographical drama Ajey: The Untold Story of a Yogi, based on the life of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in which Rawal plays Adityanath’s guru Mahant Avaidyanath.

“Sab humare hi log hain. Sabki picture chalein (All of them are our people only. All of our films should work),” said Paresh Rawal in an interview with Galatta India. Rawal reacted to the clash not only with Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi’s courtroom comedy Jolly LLB 3, but also Anurag Kashyap’s potboiler Nishanchi, marking the debut of Aishwarya Thackeray, the grandson of late Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray. Interestingly, Rawal played the chief antagonist in Kashyap’s 2007 psychological thriller No Smoking.

Kumar and Rawal have collaborated on over a dozen of other films together, including hits like Rajiv Rai’s 1994 action thriller Mohra, Vipul Shah’s 2002 heist thriller Aankhen, Abbas-Mustan’s 2004 romantic thriller Aitraaz, Vikram Bhatt’s comedies Awara Paagal Deewana (2002) and Deewane Huye Pagal (2005), late Neeraj Vora’s 2006 comedy sequel Phir Hera Pheri, Priyadarshan’s comedies Garam Masala (2005), Bhagam Bhaag (2006), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), and De Dana Dan (2009), Anees Bazmee’s 2007 comedy Welcome, Umesh Shukla’s 2012 courtroom drama OMG – Oh My God!, and Sudha Kongara’s Sarfira last year.

Back in May, Paresh Rawal’s sudden departure from Hera Pheri 3 sent shockwaves in the film industry and among the fans of the franchise who have been waiting for the third part for close to 20 years. On May 18, Rawal took to X to officially announce that he is no longer part of Hera Pheri 3. “I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from ‘Hera Pheri 3’ was not due to creative differences. I reiterate that there are no creative disagreement with the filmmaker. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr Priyadarshan,” Rawal had said. Akshay Kumar sued Rawal for ₹25 crore in damages.

Also Read — Paresh Rawal’s unceremonious exit, Akshay Kumar’s lawsuit, Priyadarshan and Suniel Shetty clueless: Is the team doing Hera Pheri with fans?

However, now that all good’s in the hood, Kumar and Rawal are also collaborating on two other comedies besides Hera Pheri 3 — Priyadarshan’s horror comedy Bhooth Bangla and Ahmed Khan’s adventure comedy Welcome to the Jungle, in which the two will reunite after sharing screen space in the first installment of the Welcome franchise back in 2007.

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