Fans of the iconic comedy franchise Hera Pheri have a reason to rejoice. Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, who had previously announced his exit from the film, has now confirmed his return and provided a timeline for the start of the shoot. In an exclusive interview, Rawal revealed that all differences have been resolved, and he will reunite with Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty to reprise his beloved role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte.
“It’s a work in progress. We’ll start shooting for the film in February-March next year,” Rawal told a news outlet. This update puts an end to months of speculation and controversy that surrounded the project, which at one point even reportedly led to legal action initiated by Akshay Kumar’s production house against Rawal.
Rawal clarified that his decision to step away earlier was for “genuine reasons” and that he had returned his signing amount with interest. Despite the public fallout, Rawal confirmed that his personal and professional relationship with director Priyadarshan remains strong. “A lot has happened but that hasn’t soured my relationship with Priyadarshan. In fact, what has happened is that it has further solidified our equation,” he said. The duo, who recently wrapped up a film titled Bhoot Bangla, is set to collaborate for the 15th time with Hera Pheri 3.
Rawal also addressed the possibility of a spin-off film centered on his character, Baburao. He dismissed the idea, stating, “I don’t think Baburao can exist on his own. You’ll need Shyam and Raju too.” He further added, “I’m not a greedy actor. I’m not foolish either. I’m not someone who assumes that duniya meri wajah se chalti hai. Even if a standalone film happens someday, Shyam and Raju also need to be there.”
The actor also revisited his disappointment with the second installment, Phir Hera Pheri, which was not directed by Priyadarshan. He felt that the team became over-confident, which compromised the essence of the characters and the original film’s sanctity. “When I was dubbing for Phir Hera Pheri, I realised ki humne ganda paap kardiya hai,” he commented.
With the original trio and director back on board, the third installment of the Hera Pheri franchise is one of the most highly anticipated films, and fans are eager to see the magic of Raju, Shyam, and Baburao return to the big screen.