Paresh Rawal Officially Returns to Hera Pheri 3 as Original Trio Reunites Under Priyadarshan’s Direction

 In a welcome turn of events for fans of Indian comedy cinema, veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially rejoined the cast of Hera Pheri 3, rekindling the original trio that made the franchise a cult phenomenon. Director Priyadarshan, who helmed the beloved 2000 original, confirmed the development and spoke candidly about the emotional reconciliation that led to Rawal’s return.

Speaking to Mid-Day, Priyadarshan revealed that Rawal personally reached out to apologise for his earlier departure from the project. “Both Akshay and Paresh called me to say that everything had been resolved. I was genuinely taken aback when Paresh said, ‘Sir, I’m doing the movie.’ He added, ‘I’ve always had the highest respect for you. We’ve done 26 films together, and I regret stepping away. It was due to some personal issues.’ He also mentioned that he, Akshay, and Suniel had met to clear the air.”

The director, who is currently developing the script, reiterated the importance of maintaining the integrity of the iconic trio—Raju, Shyam, and Baburao. “Whatever I do, I know I can never surpass Hera Pheri. The second film strayed—it was based on a Hollywood script. But Hera Pheri can’t exist without the original three. I remember a diamond merchant once telling me during a flight, ‘Please bring back Paresh Rawal. We won’t watch it otherwise,’” Priyadarshan recounted.

Earlier this year, Rawal’s unexpected decision to step away from reprising his iconic role as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte left fans disappointed. Citing personal and creative differences, the move reportedly led to legal complications, including a notice filed by Akshay Kumar due to its impact on production timelines.

However, the tide has since turned. In a recent podcast with Himanshu Mehta, Rawal confirmed his return, stating, “The film was going to happen anyway; we just needed a bit of fine-tuning. After all, Priyadarshan, Akshay, Suniel—we’ve been friends for years. It was just a matter of realigning.”

With Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal once again sharing the screen under Priyadarshan’s direction, Hera Pheri 3 is poised to deliver a much-anticipated blend of nostalgia and fresh humour. The original film, released in 2000, achieved cult status with its witty writing, memorable performances, and impeccable comic timing. Its sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), while less critically acclaimed, went on to become a box office hit.

Now, with the beloved trio reunited and the franchise’s original creator back at the helm, Hera Pheri 3 promises to revive the chaotic charm of Raju, Shyam, and Baburao—characters that have become synonymous with Indian pop culture. As production gears up, expectations among fans and the industry alike are soaring.