Paresh Rawal Confirms Return to ‘Hera Pheri 3’ with Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty

Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed that he will reprise his iconic role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the much-anticipated ‘Hera Pheri 3’, joining longtime co-stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. The announcement comes over a month after Rawal had abruptly exited the project, prompting widespread speculation and disappointment among fans of the beloved comedy franchise.

In a recent podcast appearance with Himanshu Mehta, Rawal clarified that all issues have now been resolved with the film’s team. “Nahi, controversy kuch nahi hai (No, there is no controversy),” he said, emphasizing that his concerns were rooted in ensuring the film maintains its quality and delivers what fans expect. “When people have loved something so much, then you have to be extra careful.”

Rawal explained that his earlier hesitation stemmed from a desire to see more dedication and sincerity from everyone involved. “It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can’t take things for granted. Mehnat karke unko do (Work hard and deliver to the audience),” he stated. He added that he felt the need for the team to come together and put in collective effort: “Sab saath mein aaye, mehnat karein. Aur kuch nahin. (Everyone should come together and work hard. That’s all.)”

The clarification comes as a relief to fans, especially given the earlier turmoil. Following Rawal’s exit, Akshay Kumar’s production house had filed a ₹25 crore lawsuit against the actor, alleging financial losses and disruption to the film’s production schedule. Fortunately, those differences appear to have been amicably resolved.

When asked about reuniting with Akshay and Suniel for the third installment, Rawal spoke fondly of their bond. “Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi (The film was always going to happen),” he said, adding with a laugh that the team simply needed to fine-tune their approach. “After all, all of them are creative—be it Priyadarshan, Akshay or Suniel. They are friends for many, many, many years.”

Directed by Priyadarshan, Hera Pheri 3 marks the return of one of Bollywood’s most iconic comic trios. The film’s shooting is scheduled to begin in January next year, and expectations are sky-high. With Rawal, Akshay, and Suniel Shetty back together, fans are hopeful that the new installment will capture the same magic that made the first two films cult classics.

For now, the iconic “Baburao” is officially back—and the laughter is set to return.

IT.