Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, best known for his iconic portrayal of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the Hera Pheri series, is making headlines once again — not just for a resurfaced candid interview, but also for a legal tussle with co-star Akshay Kumar. The controversy comes in the wake of Rawal’s sudden exit from Hera Pheri 3, reportedly prompting Kumar’s production house to issue him a ₹25 crore legal notice.
In a recently resurfaced interview with The Lallantop, Paresh Rawal revealed how he has felt creatively suffocated by the popularity of his Hera Pheri character over the years. Describing the role of Baburao as a “gale ka phanda” (a noose around his neck), Rawal admitted that he has long wanted to break free from the stereotype.
Rawal even approached acclaimed filmmakers like Vishal Bhardwaj and R Balki, seeking roles that could transform his image while retaining the iconic look. He pitched a story inspired by Dancer In The Dark, where the protagonist, like Baburao, wears spectacles, but with an entirely different character arc. However, Bhardwaj declined, citing his lack of interest in remakes.
The actor also took a jab at Bollywood’s tendency to churn out sequels just to cash in on established franchises. He praised the Munna Bhai films for exploring different narratives while retaining core characters, suggesting that Hera Pheri could have taken a similar path with creative reinvention.
The resurfacing of this interview coincides with Rawal’s clarification on X (formerly Twitter), where he dismissed claims that his exit from Hera Pheri 3 was due to creative or financial disagreements. He said he had informed director Priyadarshan and co-stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty in advance. However, both Priyadarshan and Shetty later publicly claimed they were unaware of his decision to quit.
Hera Pheri 3, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 cult comedy Hera Pheri and its 2006 follow-up Phir Hera Pheri, was officially announced in 2023, reigniting fan excitement. The legal and emotional drama surrounding the film now raises questions about its future and whether the beloved character Baburao will return to the big screen — and if so, who will play him.
Sources By Agencies
