Paresh Rawal Reflects on Phir Hera Pheri’s Shortcomings on His 70th Birthday

As Paresh Rawal celebrates his 70th birthday, the veteran actor is making headlines for his unexpected exit from the much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3, prompting a legal notice from co-star Akshay Kumar’s production company.

In a February conversation with Siddharth Kannan, just as buzz around Hera Pheri 3 began to build, Rawal, beloved for his role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, or Babu Bhaiya, expressed disappointment with Phir Hera Pheri. He noted that the film’s overconfidence led to a loss of the original’s charm and simplicity. “Everyone was too sure of themselves,” Rawal remarked, adding that the sequel failed to capture the innocent humor that made the 2000 classic, directed by Priyadarshan, a cult favorite.

Rawal’s departure from Hera Pheri 3 stunned fans, especially after he clarified that his decision stemmed not from creative disputes with director Priyadarshan but from a personal choice to step away. This followed reports of a ₹25 crore legal notice from Akshay Kumar’s team, claiming Rawal’s exit disrupted the project. Suniel Shetty, set to reprise his role as Shyam, shared that he learned of Rawal’s decision through his children, Athiya and Ahan Shetty, describing it as a “crisis” for the film.

On this milestone birthday, fans are hopeful that Rawal will reconsider his stance and return as Babu Bhaiya, a character whose comedic legacy remains unmatched. Whether the iconic trio reunites for Hera Pheri 3 remains uncertain, but Rawal’s candid reflections continue to spark discussion about the franchise’s enduring impact.