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Veteran actor Paresh Rawal officially confirms his return as Baburao in Hera Pheri 3. The cult trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—reunite after 17 years for the third installment of the blockbuster comedy franchise. Here’s what he revealed
Veteran Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal has confirmed his return to Hera Pheri 3, saying all issues have been “resolved now.”
In a podcast with Himanshu Mehta, Paresh was asked about the Hera Pheri 3 controversy. He replied, “There’s no controversy. I believe that when people have loved something so much, then you have to be extra careful. It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can’t take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko (film) do.”
The actor added, “So, I was of the opinion that sab saath mein aaye, mehnat karein. Aur kuch nahin. It is all resolved now.”
When host Himanshu Mehta reconfirmed that Hera Pheri 3 with the original cast is in the works, Paresh Rawal said, “Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi but it’s just that we had to fine-tune ourselves (laughs). After all, all of them are creative, be it Priyadarshan, Akshay or Suniel. They are friends for many, many, many years.”
When SCREEN reached out to Paresh Rawal for confirmation of his return to Hera Pheri 3, the actor replied in the affirmative, saying, “Yes.”
Paresh Rawal’s sudden exit from Hera Pheri 3 has been making headlines for weeks. Initially, reports suggested that the actor quit the film over creative differences. However, on May 18, Paresh took to X to officially announce he is no longer part of Hera Pheri 3. The actor wrote, “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.”
After Paresh Rawal exited Hera Pheri 3, Akshay Kumar, who is also producing the film, reportedly sued him, seeking Rs 25 crore in damages and threatening civil and criminal action.
Akshay’s production house claimed it had paid the veteran actor Rs 11 lakh as partial payment and that he had already shot a promo clip along with other videos for the project.
After Akshay sent the legal notice, Paresh’s legal team declared that the actor had paid back the amount of Rs 11 lakh along with 15 per cent interest to Akshay’s production company. The veteran actor wrote on X, “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.”
Despite his differences with Paresh Rawal, Akshay Kumar was seen defending his Hera Pheri co-star at the trailer launch of Housefull 5. When told that fans were disappointed by Paresh’s exit from Hera Pheri 3 and had called him “foolish,” Akshay said it was “not right” to refer to his “good friend” Paresh as “foolish.”
“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,” said Akshay, adding, ““It’s a very serious matter. It is a matter which is going to be handled by the court.”
In a long-awaited announcement that has thrilled Bollywood fans across the globe, veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed his return to the third installment of the cult comedy franchise Hera Pheri. Alongside Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty, Rawal will reprise his legendary role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, the eccentric and much-loved character that has become a pop culture icon since the original film’s release in 2000.
Speaking about the upcoming film, Rawal admitted that stepping back into Baburao’s shoes wasn’t automatic. “We had to fine-tune ourselves,” he said, indicating that the actors had to adjust to the new script, dynamics, and comedy sensibilities of a new generation. He also added that while the characters remain timeless, their interactions and humor had to evolve with the times without losing the essence that made Hera Pheri a classic.
It’s been 17 years since the release of Phir Hera Pheri (2006), and fans have been eagerly anticipating the third film. While multiple rumors, false starts, and cast changes had created uncertainty over the years, it is now official: Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal are reuniting for Hera Pheri 3.
This news has sparked a wave of nostalgia, especially on social media, where fans continue to share memes, dialogues, and clips from the earlier films. Characters like Raju (Akshay), Shyam (Suniel), and Babu Bhaiya (Paresh) have become part of Indian meme culture, quoted daily by fans of all ages.
This time, Hera Pheri 3 will reportedly be helmed by Farhad Samji, known for his work in the comedy genre. While earlier attempts to revive the franchise hit roadblocks, including rumors of Akshay Kumar being replaced, everything has now come full circle with the original team coming back.
The script has undergone multiple changes to maintain the quirky humor of the original while introducing a contemporary storyline that reflects current times. Insiders reveal that the film may include international locations and a new villain, adding fresh layers to the classic formula.
Paresh Rawal’s portrayal of Baburao is nothing short of iconic. His unmatched comic timing, quirky dialogue delivery, and chaotic expressions brought heart to the franchise. Without Rawal, many fans felt that the soul of Hera Pheri would be lost. His return ensures that the emotional and comedic tone of the original remains intact.
Speaking to media outlets, Rawal said, “Baburao is not just a character, he’s an emotion. Getting into that mindset again after so many years needed preparation. We wanted to do justice to the audience that has kept this film alive through memes, jokes, and endless love.”
Although the filming has already begun, an official release date has not been confirmed. Industry sources suggest a mid-to-late 2025 release, with possible teaser drops by the end of this year. Fans can expect a big marketing campaign given the film’s nostalgic appeal and star power.
