Paresh Rawal Breaks Silence on Exiting Hera Pheri 3, Denies Creative Differences with Priyadarshan

Veteran Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed his exit from the highly anticipated comedy sequel Hera Pheri 3, sparking a wave of disappointment among fans of the iconic franchise. The news broke a few days ago, with early reports citing “creative differences” as the reason for his departure. However, the actor has now come forward to clarify the real story.

No Creative Differences, Says Paresh Rawal

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Paresh Rawal dismissed the rumours of conflict with director Priyadarshan. He wrote:

"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’s director."

This statement comes after a report by Bollywood Hungama claimed that Rawal walked away from the project due to disagreements with the makers over the creative direction of the film.

Fan Reactions Pour In

Rawal’s character, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte — popularly known as Babu Bhaiya — is considered the heart and soul of the Hera Pheri series. As soon as the news of his exit was confirmed, social media platforms were flooded with reactions. One user wrote:

“Hera Pheri without Babu Bhaiya is just wrong. Please reconsider!”

Another added: “The trio of Raju, Shyam, and Babu Bhaiya is irreplaceable. There is no Hera Pheri without all three.”

Some fans speculated that the reason behind Rawal’s decision could be related to finances or typecasting, with one asking, “Don’t want to get trapped again in the Babu Bhaiya image?”

What’s Next for Paresh Rawal?

Despite his exit from Hera Pheri 3, Paresh Rawal has an exciting lineup of films. He is reuniting with Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar for Bhooth Bangla, a horror-comedy also featuring Tabu, slated for release in 2026. Additionally, Rawal is part of the ensemble cast in Welcome to the Jungle, another high-profile Bollywood project.

The Legacy of Hera Pheri

The Hera Pheri franchise began in 2000 with the cult classic Hera Pheri, directed by Priyadarshan and starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. The film followed three down-on-their-luck men who become accidentally involved in a kidnapping plot. Its sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), continued the comedic chaos and cemented the franchise’s place in Bollywood history.

Fans had been eagerly waiting for Hera Pheri 3, hoping to relive the magic of the original trio. With Rawal’s exit, the future of the project appears uncertain, and fans are left wondering whether the film should even move forward.

Conclusion

While the exact reason for Paresh Rawal’s exit remains under wraps, his clarification puts to rest any rumours of a fallout with the director. For many fans, however, Hera Pheri 3 without Babu Bhaiya might just be a hard sell.