May 29, 2025: Cricketer-turned-commentator Harbhajan Singh has stirred up some unexpected laughs—and a bit of controversy—after suggesting that fellow cricketer Suryakumar Yadav could replace veteran actor Paresh Rawal as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the upcoming film Hera Pheri 3.
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In an interview, Harbhajan jokingly called Suryakumar a “proper actor,” referencing the batsman’s hilarious impersonation of the iconic Baburao character during his appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show. “He won’t be able to act like Paresh Rawal sir but he remembers all his dialogues. Maybe he can be a replacement,” Harbhajan said, adding, “If he gets this job, I will take 15 per cent of his fee (laughs).”
The light-hearted remark comes in the wake of major headlines surrounding Paresh Rawal’s exit from Hera Pheri 3. The actor, known for his legendary portrayal of Baburao, initially cited creative differences for stepping away from the project. However, he later clarified on X (formerly Twitter), “I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FILM MAKER… I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan.”
Rawal’s sudden departure hasn’t just shocked fans—it’s also caused ripples within the cast. Actor Suniel Shetty, who reprises his role as Shyam, expressed surprise in a recent interview, saying, “This is absolutely shocking… Even Akshay is clueless as to what happened.” He described Rawal’s exit as a “crisis” that has impacted the film’s production.
To make matters more serious, Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Films, has reportedly issued a legal notice seeking ₹25 crore in damages from Rawal, citing breach of contract due to his sudden exit.
While Harbhajan’s tongue-in-cheek suggestion about Suryakumar Yadav may be taken in jest, it underlines just how iconic—and irreplaceable—Paresh Rawal’s portrayal of Baburao remains in Indian pop culture. Whether the film proceeds with a new face or resolves the ongoing turmoil remains to be seen.