After weeks of speculation and uncertainty, veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed his return to Hera Pheri 3, reprising his iconic role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte. This announcement puts an end to the doubts surrounding his involvement in the project, reassuring fans that the beloved trio of Raju, Shyam, and Baburao will reunite on the big screen.
The news follows a period of reported disputes, with Rawal initially having exited the film. It was reported that Akshay Kumar's production house, Cape of Good Films, had even sent a legal notice to Rawal, seeking compensation for losses incurred due to his departure. However, in a recent podcast interview with Himanshu Mehta, Rawal clarified that all issues have been resolved.
"There's no controversy, really," Rawal stated, emphasizing the importance of respecting the audience's love for the Hera Pheri franchise. "When a project is so well loved by audiences, you need to handle it with extra care. It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can't take things for granted". He added, "So, my belief is that everyone should come together and put in the effort. There's nothing more to it. Everything is resolved now".
Rawal further elaborated on the creative process, explaining that reuniting the original team involves "fine-tuning" among its members. "It was meant to come together earlier too, but we had to fine-tune things with each other," he said. He highlighted that the team, including Priyadarshan, Akshay Kumar, and Suniel Shetty, comprises creative individuals and long-time friends, which makes collaboration both exciting and, at times, challenging.
Earlier reports suggested that Rawal's exit stemmed from concerns regarding the film's payment structure and the absence of a formal screenplay. Specifically, Rawal's fee was reportedly scheduled to be released only a month after the film's release, which was expected no sooner than late 2026 or even 2027. It was also reported that Akshay Kumar's production house claimed to have paid Rawal Rs 11 lakh as partial payment, and that he had already shot promo clips. Subsequently, Rawal's legal team declared that the actor had paid back the amount with 15% interest.
With Paresh Rawal's return now confirmed, Hera Pheri 3 is officially back on track. The original trio is set to reunite, promising fans the same laughter and comedic timing that made the first two films cult classics. Production is expected to commence later this year. The actor's return signals that the team is focused on working together to create a hilarious and nostalgic blockbuster for the big screen.
Rawal's statement puts an end to speculation and sets the stage for the much-anticipated reunion of the iconic trio. Fans can now look forward to the return of Baburao, with his signature glasses and humorous mispronunciations, bringing back the magic that they loved in the previous installments.
