Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, known for his iconic portrayal of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, confirmed his exit from Hera Pheri 3 last month, leaving fans disappointed. Despite his announcement, social media continues to be flooded with requests urging him to reconsider. Recently, a fan called him the “hero” of the franchise, to which Rawal responded, “NO… There are Three Heroes in Hera Pheri,” referring to himself, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty. His statement reinforced the importance of the trio that made the franchise a cult classic.
While Rawal has dismissed rumors of creative differences, reports suggest that Akshay Kumar’s production house has filed a ₹25 crore lawsuit against him for withdrawing from the project. The legal dispute has added another layer of uncertainty to the film’s future. Meanwhile, director Priyadarshan and co-star Suniel Shetty have expressed their disappointment over Rawal’s departure, with Shetty stating that Hera Pheri 3 “cannot happen” without Baburao.
Who Will Replace Baburao?
With Rawal stepping away, speculation is rife about who will take over the beloved role. Fans have suggested Pankaj Tripathi as a potential replacement, with AI-generated images of him as Baburao going viral. However, Tripathi himself has dismissed the idea, stating that he cannot match Rawal’s legacy. As the makers of Hera Pheri 3 navigate this setback, the future of the film remains uncertain, with fans hoping for a resolution that keeps the spirit of the franchise intact.