May 30, 2025 – As veteran actor Paresh Rawal celebrates his 70th birthday today, social media is abuzz — not only in celebration but also in reaction to his recent decision to exit Hera Pheri 3. The much-anticipated third installment of the cult comedy franchise, starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal as the iconic Babu Bhaiya, now faces uncertainty following the actor’s surprising announcement.
Paresh Rawal Confirms Exit from Hera Pheri 3
Last week, fans were left stunned when Paresh Rawal confirmed reports that he would not be returning for Hera Pheri 3. The news snowballed quickly, with Akshay Kumar’s production house reportedly sending him a legal notice, and Suniel Shetty revealing that he found out through his children — not directly from Paresh.
Revisiting Paresh Rawal’s Honest Critique of Phir Hera Pheri
While Rawal has not cited creative differences for his decision to walk away, he has been candid in the past about his views on the franchise’s direction.
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan earlier this year, he expressed dissatisfaction with the 2006 sequel Phir Hera Pheri.
“Everybody was overconfident about the film. It lost its innocence. Sorry to say, but wo film nahi bani thi barabar (the film wasn’t made properly),” said Rawal. He criticized the film for being overloaded with unnecessary sequences, urging the late director Neeraj Vohra to preserve the simplicity that made the original a classic.
Rawal emphasized the importance of storytelling integrity:
“If you’re making a sequel just to mint money, that isn’t fun. You have a character like Baburao, which has a goodwill of ₹500 crore. If you only change the jokes, what’s the meaning of that?”
Clarifying the Real Reason Behind His Exit
Despite rumors, Rawal later clarified his departure from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative conflicts.
“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 DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE FILMMAKER. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan, the film director,” Rawal stated.
Will Babu Bhaiya Return?
As fans celebrate Paresh Rawal’s birthday, many are hoping the beloved actor reconsiders his decision and brings Babu Bhaiya back to the silver screen. Whether or not that happens, Rawal’s contribution to Indian cinema — and especially to the Hera Pheri legacy — remains unmatched.