Has Paresh Rawal's Exit SHUT the door on 'Hera Pheri 3' FOREVER?

Just a few months ago, the excitement around Hera Pheri 3 was palpable. Fans were buzzing after the official promo shoot featuring the iconic trio, Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. Memes flooded the internet. Old dialogues resurfaced on reels. Everyone was ready to say “phir Hera Pheri” once again. But in the blink of an eye, the mood has shifted. The franchise that gave Indian cinema one of its most beloved comic characters, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, might now be staring at an uncertain future. And the catalyst? Paresh Rawal's sudden and shocking exit from the film.

The Exit That Shook Bollywood

The news broke like a bolt from the blue. Paresh Rawal, the backbone of the Hera Pheri universe, announced that he would no longer be a part of the third installment. While he clarified there were no creative differences, his decision left fans, and more importantly, his co-stars stunned. In fact, Suniel Shetty revealed in a candid interview with India Today that he found out about Rawal’s exit not from the team, not from the producers, but from his kids. “Athiya and Ahan sent the news to me, asking ‘papa, what is this?’ I was in the middle of interviews for my film Kesari Veer: Legends of Somnath, and I felt like, holy sh*t,” he said,

“No Hera Pheri Without Baburao”

Shetty didn’t mince words. Speaking to ANI, he declared, “It cannot happen. 100 per cent cannot happen without Paresh Rawal. It can have 1 per cent chance without me and Akshay, but 100% can’t happen without Paresh ji.” The logic is simple, Hera Pheri isn’t just about Raju (Akshay) and Shyam (Suniel); it needs Baburao. The very soul of the franchise is embedded in Rawal’s pitch-perfect portrayal of the slightly tipsy, ever-hapless, and utterly lovable landlord.

Things only escalated when news came in that Akshay Kumar, who reportedly owns the rights to the film, is considering legal action against Paresh Rawal for backing out. Filmmaker Priyadarshan, who has worked extensively with all three stars and is currently collaborating with them on another project (Bhoot Bangla), shared with Hindustan Times that even he was in the dark. “Akshay had asked me to check with both Paresh and Suniel, and I did. Both had agreed. I don’t know what went wrong,” he said.

No Creative Differences, But Creative Disinterest?

Paresh Rawal took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify that his decision wasn’t due to any fallout with the filmmakers. “I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan,” he wrote. Yet, long before this dramatic exit, he had hinted at being creatively underwhelmed by the project.

In an earlier interview with Lallantop, Rawal remarked, “Everybody wants to cash in on sequels… but there’s mental bankruptcy or mental lethargy. I’m doing the sequel because I don’t want the film to get stuck, but there is no happiness.” And maybe that was the red flag no one paid enough attention to.

Where Does This Leave Hera Pheri 3?

So here we are. The film that had reignited nostalgic excitement and was set to bring back laughter to the big screen now stands on shaky ground.

The options?

• Recast Baburao: Unthinkable. Replacing Paresh Rawal would be the riskiest move in Bollywood history. His voice, expressions, and comic timing are irreplaceable. Any actor stepping into those shoes would face intense backlash.
• Write Baburao Out: Even worse. The entire chemistry of the trio collapses without him. You can’t have Shyam and Raju exchanging punches and one-liners without Baburao stepping in with his “Utha le re deva” timing.
• Scrap the Film: Painful, yes. But maybe necessary. Sometimes, letting a good thing end is better than dragging it for money’s sake. The first two films, Hera Pheri (2000) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006) have already achieved cult status. Rewatching them might be the only true “phir” we need.

In just a few days, the Hera Pheri 3 journey has turned from celebration to confusion. What began as a much-awaited comeback of three comic legends has now spiraled into a PR disaster, a fan heartbreak, and possibly the untimely end of a golden comedy franchise.

Suniel Shetty’s emotional reaction sums it up best. “No Hera Pheri 3 without Baburao.” And he’s not wrong. Sometimes, one character becomes the pulse of the film. And in Hera Pheri, Baburao isn’t just a character, he's the heart, the lungs, and the comic soul.

Whether the makers choose to revive, recast, or retire the franchise, one thing is certain, this isn’t just a film delay. It’s the possible curtain call for a cinematic era. Till then, we’ll just press play on the originals. Because ye Babu Rao ka style hai!