Actor Paresh Rawal.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has cleared the air about his departure from the Hera Pheri franchise.Reports emerged last week of Rawal, who plays the iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte aka Babu Bhaiyaa in the Hera Pheri films, quitting the forthcoming instalment, Hera Pheri 3.Rawal, Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty were set to return in the much-awaited film directed by Priyadarshan. However, as confirmed by Rawal earlier on social media, he has exited the film. “I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences,” Rawal wrote on X. “I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE FILMMAKER. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr Priyadarshan, the film’s 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

Explaining the reason behind his move, Rawal told Mid-Day, “I know it came as a shock to many. We three make a great combination with Priyadarshanji directing us, but the fact is that I opted out because today I don’t feel like a part of it.” Rawal didn’t confirm if he left the film over remuneration issues, as has been speculated online. All the same, he sounded determined about his decision. “It is final for the time being. I always say never say never for anything. One cannot predict what happens in the future,” he was quoted as saying by Mid-Day.ALSO READ:Priyadarshan to direct ‘Hera Pheri 3’, confirms Akshay KumarThe Hera Pheri franchise began in 2000, following the adventures of two down-on-their-luck tenants and their bumbling, bespectacled landlord. It was remade from the 1989 Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking, directed by Siddique-Lal.While the first Hera Pheri was directed by Priyadarshan, the endlessly memed second film, Phir Hera Pheri, was helmed by Neeraj Vora. Published – May 20, 2025 03:23 pm IST