Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed that he is back on board for Hera Pheri 3, putting an end to the recent uncertainty around his involvement in the much-anticipated sequel of the iconic comedy franchise. Appearing on Himanshu Mehta’s podcast, Rawal assured fans that there is no controversy behind his earlier announcement of exiting the film and that any differences with the production team have now been resolved.
Rawal, who plays the legendary character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, emphasized the importance of respecting the love the audience has shown to the Hera Pheri series. He explained that his temporary withdrawal stemmed from a desire to ensure that everyone involved approached the project with renewed effort and sincerity. “It is our responsibility toward the audience. The audience has given you so much adulation. You can’t take things for granted,” he said, urging for hard work and unity among the cast and crew.
He clarified that he was never at odds with his longtime co-stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty or director Priyadarshan. Rather, he felt the team simply needed some time to "fine-tune" things creatively. Rawal described all three—Priyadarshan, Akshay, and Suniel—as long-time friends and emphasized that the issues were never deeply personal.
His return comes after a legal dispute reportedly emerged when Akshay Kumar’s production house filed a ₹25 crore suit against Rawal, citing financial losses and production delays due to his sudden departure. That situation, too, now appears to be settled.
The film, directed once again by Priyadarshan, is set to begin shooting in January 2026. With the original trio now officially reunited, anticipation among fans for Hera Pheri 3 is likely to soar, especially with the promise of the same classic chemistry that made the earlier films such enduring favorites.
