The much-anticipated return of the iconic Hera Pheri trio has hit a significant snag, leaving fans disheartened and the future of the beloved franchise in question. Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, whose unforgettable portrayal of the eccentric Baburao Ganpatrao Apte (affectionately known as Babu Bhaiya), has officially confirmed his departure from the upcoming Hera Pheri 3. This unexpected announcement has sent shockwaves through Bollywood and its ardent fan base, sparking an immediate and vocal outcry across social media platforms.
The news broke last month, with Rawal publicly announcing his decision to no longer be a part of the third installment of the comedy classic. The backlash was swift and passionate. Fans, who have waited nearly two decades for the reunion of Raju, Shyam, and Babu Bhaiya, wasted no time in pleading with the actor to reconsider.
One fan, echoing the sentiment of many, commented on Rawal’s X (formerly Twitter) post, “Sir please think once again to join HERA PHERI movie You are the hero of this movie.” Rawal’s humble and affectionate response, “NO … There are Three Heroes in Hera Pheri,” accompanied by folded hands and a heart emoji, only seemed to underscore the depth of his decision, even while acknowledging the collective brilliance of the original cast.
The plea for his return extended beyond general fans. Comedian and content creator Ashish Chanchlani also voiced his support, tweeting, “Paresh sir, I am sure you must be feeling burnt out by Babu Bhaiya… But we all genuinely request you to come back. You are truly the soul of this franchise. I hope you find a way.” These heartfelt appeals highlight the immense emotional connection audiences have with Rawal’s character and his pivotal role in the franchise’s enduring legacy.
The original Hera Pheri, directed by Priyadarshan and released in 2000, brought together Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty to create a legendary trio of misfits. Its massive success paved the way for a sequel, Phir Hera Pheri, in 2006, directed by Neeraj Vora. For years, the dream of a third film lingered, a beacon of hope for comedy enthusiasts, until this recent controversy threatened to extinguish it.
On May 18, Rawal took to X to publicly clarify his stance. “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,” he stated. This clarification, while dispelling rumors of a creative rift with the director, only deepened the mystery behind his departure. Reports subsequently emerged suggesting a lack of a complete script and clear details about his character as key reasons for his exit.
Adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama, reports surfaced that Akshay Kumar, who is not only a co-star but also reportedly producing Hera Pheri 3, has filed a staggering Rs 25 crore lawsuit against Rawal. The legal notice allegedly claims damages for breach of contract, asserting that Rawal had accepted an Rs 11 lakh payment for his involvement and had even participated in promotional work. This suggests Kumar’s camp views Rawal’s departure as both sudden and deliberate, with significant financial implications.
Akshay Kumar, addressing the situation delicately at the launch event of Housefull 5, refrained from directly criticizing Rawal. When asked about fans’ reactions to Rawal’s decision, Kumar stated, “Using this kind of word for one of my co-star like a foolish word or something. I would not appreciate it, and that’s not right. I worked with him since the last 30-35 years, we are very good friends. He’s a great actor and I really admire him.” He concluded by emphasizing the gravity of the situation, adding, “It’s a very serious matter. It is a matter which is going to be handled by the court.”
In response to these serious allegations, sources close to Paresh Rawal have challenged the legal claims. A source, speaking to IANS, reportedly stated, “Calling someone like Paresh Rawal, a stalwart with four decades of iconic work, ‘unprofessional’ is not just unfair, it’s laughable. Let’s be clear, the film hadn’t even started. There was a promo shoot, not a film schedule. The real shoot is planned for next year.” This counter-argument suggests a potential misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the nature of Rawal’s initial involvement.
The situation remains fluid and highly uncertain. Whether or not Paresh Rawal, the inimitable Babu Bhaiya, will return to the role that has become synonymous with his comedic genius, remains to be seen. For now, the future of Hera Pheri 3 hangs in the balance, a testament to the irreplaceable charm of its “three heroes” and the profound impact they’ve had on Indian cinema.