May 17, 2025: In yet another surprising twist in the chaotic journey of Hera Pheri 3, veteran actor Paresh Rawal, who immortalised the role of the beloved Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, has officially stepped away from the film. The actor confirmed his exit, citing creative differences with the makers.
According to a report, tensions reportedly flared behind the scenes, leading to Rawal’s decision. A source close to the production revealed, “There were creative differences between the makers and Paresh Rawal. As a result, the actor decided to step down from the film.”
When contacted by the portal, Paresh Rawal himself confirmed the development, marking a significant blow to fans who were eagerly awaiting the return of the original cast.
The Long Road to Hera Pheri 3
The Hera Pheri franchise has had a turbulent few years. After much back-and-forth, the original trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—was reportedly brought back after fans strongly demanded their return, especially Akshay’s as the iconic Raju. A muhurat shot was also filmed, signaling a promising start to the long-delayed sequel.
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Previously, Akshay Kumar had briefly exited the project, with reports suggesting that Kartik Aaryan was being roped in as a lead. However, Rawal had clarified at the time that Kartik would not be replacing Raju’s character.
Now, with Rawal stepping away, questions are once again being raised about the film’s stability and future. The project was set to be helmed by Priyadarshan, who is also working with Rawal and Akshay on a separate horror-comedy titled Bhooth Bangla.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
With Paresh Rawal’s departure, Hera Pheri 3 finds itself in limbo again. For fans of the original 2000 cult classic and its successful 2006 sequel, the absence of Baburao raises concerns about whether the spirit of the franchise can be preserved.
Priyadarshan, however, remains busy with Bhooth Bangla, which also features Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, and Wamiqa Gabbi. Backed by Ekta Kapoor, the film is slated to release on April 2, 2026.
For now, the fate of Hera Pheri 3 hangs in the balance as Bollywood awaits whether the makers can pull off yet another revival—or if this marks the end of the original trio’s iconic legacy.