Fans eagerly awaiting Hera Pheri 3 were taken aback when Paresh Rawal revealed he is stepping back from the film. The veteran actor, part of the iconic trio alongside Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty, confirmed the news to Bollywood Hungama, citing creative differences with the makers as the reason for his exit.
A source close to the production told the portal, “There were creative disagreements between Paresh Rawal and the filmmakers, leading to his decision to leave the project.” Paresh later affirmed the reports, simply stating, “Yes, it’s true.”
The announcement left many fans disappointed, with social media reactions highlighting how much the actor’s presence is integral to the Hera Pheri franchise. One user tweeted, “What? So all the fun has exited from Hera Pheri 3?” while another wrote, “No Paresh Rawal, no Hera Pheri 3.” Some felt the film should not proceed without him, urging to preserve the cult status of the series rather than dilute it. A hopeful fan remarked, “If it’s true, Akshay sir will bring him back,” while others pleaded, “We can’t imagine Hera Pheri without him… Please bring him back.”
In an earlier interview with Lallantop, Paresh reflected on how his role as Babu Rao has shaped his career. He shared, “It’s like a noose around my neck. After Hera Pheri 2 released in 2006, I approached Vishal Bhardwaj in 2007 to play a different role in the same getup to break free from the typecast. But everyone kept seeing me only as Babu Rao. I’m an actor—I don’t want to be trapped in that role.”
He added, “In 2022, I spoke to R. Balki, hoping to play a different character, even in the same look. While the role brings me joy, I feel suffocated. I want to be free from it.”
Meanwhile, Paresh is busy with other projects including Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan, co-starring Tabu and Akshay Kumar, slated for a 2026 release. He is also involved in Welcome to the Jungle.
