If there is one comedy movie that every Bollywood fan is waiting for, it’s Hera Pheri 3. Ever since the movie was announced, there has been one development after the other. And now recently, Paresha Rawal confirmed his exit from the movie, in a tweet. Rawal, who plays Baburao Ganpatrao Apte aka Babu Bhaiya, is a major part of the movie franchise, and with his exit, it will be tough to fill his shoes.
On the morning of May 18, Sunday, Paresh Rawal posted on X, “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 FILM MAKER . I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director.”
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 FILM MAKER . I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director.
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) May 18, 2025
Even Suniel Shetty, in a recent interview with Bollywood Bubble, shared that Hera Pheri won’t be as good without both Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal. “If it was Hera Pheri, If it wasn’t Babu Bhai (Paresh Rawal) and Raju (Akshay Kumar), Shyam (Suniel Shetty) wouldn’t exist, and Shyam has no meaning. And you take any one of them out, and the film doesn’t work,” he said. He emphasised on the fact that what makes Hera Pheri a legendary movie is the chemistry between the trio.
The Hera Pheri series has earned its place as one of Bollywood’s most cherished comedy franchises, thanks to its unforgettable characters, sharp wit, and laugh-out-loud moments. The original film, Hera Pheri, released in 2000 and helmed by director Priyadarshan, brought together Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal in roles that have since become iconic. The plot revolves around three financially struggling men who, by a twist of fate, find themselves embroiled in a chaotic kidnapping scenario. Paresh Rawal’s character, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte — a quirky, soft-hearted landlord — quickly became a fan favourite for his comedic brilliance.
The sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), directed by Neeraj Vora, picked up the story with the trio diving headfirst into yet another misadventure, this time involving a dubious quick-money scheme. While it didn’t receive the same critical praise as its predecessor, the film was a box office success and eventually achieved cult status. What continues to make the franchise stand out is its perfect blend of slapstick humour, everyday struggles, and endlessly quotable dialogues.