Paresh Rawal Hera Pheri 3 Patches Up with Priyadarshan, Rejoins as Baburao
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal Hera Pheri 3 has confirmed that all is well between him and filmmaker Priyadarshan after their much-publicized fallout surrounding Hera Pheri 3. The actor, who had briefly exited the project earlier this year, revealed in a recent interview that the two have “buried the hatchet” and their bond is now stronger than ever.
“Ghaav bhar gaya hai (the wound has healed). Our relationship is very transparent,” Rawal told News18 Showsha. He further added, “In fact, what has happened is that it has solidified our equation. Through all this, we now understand each other in a sharper and better way.”
Rawal’s sudden exit from Hera Pheri 3 in May shocked fans and sparked endless speculation online. The controversy escalated when reports of a lawsuit involving producer-actor Akshay Kumar surfaced, fueling rumors of tension within the film’s team. However, by June, Rawal announced his return to the beloved franchise, reassuring fans that the iconic character of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte would indeed be back.
The comedy drama is expected to go on floors in March 2026 and will mark the 15th collaboration between Rawal and Priyadarshan.
Interestingly, Rawal had earlier clarified that his exit had nothing to do with “creative differences,” as co-star Suniel Shetty had suggested in an interview. Reflecting on his past experiences, Rawal also revisited his disappointment with Phir Hera Pheri (2006), where he felt the sequel failed to live up to the original.
“When they were making Phir Hera Pheri, they got over-confident. Premise and characters like in Hera Pheri rarely come our way. Aur usko bada nazakat se, bada sambhal ke chalna chahiye. It shouldn’t be robbed of its sanctity,” he explained.
Recalling his dubbing sessions for the sequel, Rawal admitted, “When I was dubbing for Phir Hera Pheri, I realised ki humne ganda paap kar diya hai. The situation was such that we did what we did, but it shouldn’t have happened.”
Meanwhile, Priyadarshan has already expressed his willingness to direct Hera Pheri 3 provided the original trio Akshay Kumar (Raju), Suniel Shetty (Shyam), and Paresh Rawal (Baburao) remain intact. Together, the trio has achieved cult status since the release of Hera Pheri (2000), which went on to become a sleeper hit, followed by its sequel Phir Hera Pheri.
When asked about the possibility of a Baburao spin off, Rawal responded, “We (Priyadarshan and I) haven’t discussed a spin-off on Baburao. A film is a collaborative effort. Ek film sabki wajah se banti hai. I don’t think Baburao can exist on his own. You’ll need Shyam and Raju too.”
On the work front, Rawal has wrapped up shooting for Priyadarshan’s upcoming film Bhoot Bangla, starring Akshay Kumar, Tabu, and Wamiqa Gabbi, which is set to release on April 2, 2026.