The much-awaited Hera Pheri 3, the third chapter of Bollywood’s iconic comedy franchise, has turned into a real-life soap opera before even hitting the screens. The beloved trio of Raju, Shyam, and Babu Bhaiya—played by Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—has been the heart of the series since the first film in 2000. But now, a shocking twist has left fans heartbroken: Paresh Rawal, the man behind the legendary Babu Bhaiya, has walked out of the project, sparking a massive controversy. To make matters worse, Akshay Kumar, who is also producing the film, has hit Paresh with a ₹25 crore legal notice, accusing him of unprofessional behavior.
The Babu Bhaiya Bombshell: Why Did Paresh Rawal Quit?
Paresh Rawal’s sudden exit from Hera Pheri 3 in May 2025 sent shockwaves through Bollywood and its fanbase. For many, Babu Bhaiya’s hilarious one-liners and quirky charm are the soul of the franchise. So, why did Paresh decide to abandon the film?
Rumors initially swirled that Paresh left due to creative differences with director Priyadarshan, who is returning to helm the third installment. However, both Paresh and Priyadarshan quickly rubbished these claims. Paresh took to social media to clarify, saying, “I want to make it clear that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 has nothing to do with creative disagreements. I have immense respect and love for Priyadarshan.” Priyadarshan echoed this, revealing he was as clueless as everyone else about Paresh’s decision. In an interview, he said, “Paresh didn’t tell us why he left. Akshay checked with him and Suniel before buying the film’s rights, and both were on board. I don’t know what changed.”
Some reports suggest Paresh was unhappy with the script, which is still incomplete. Sources close to the actor claim there was “no clarity, no screenplay, and no proper agreement,” making it impossible for him to continue. Others speculate that financial disputes or a reduced role for Babu Bhaiya might have played a part, though Priyadarshan dismissed claims that Akshay had cut Paresh’s scenes. Paresh himself has stayed tight-lipped about the exact reason, only saying he had “personal reasons” for leaving.
Adding fuel to the fire, Paresh was spotted in Mumbai wearing a t-shirt with the words “Don’t Quit” just days after his exit. Fans and media went into overdrive, wondering if this was a cheeky jab at Akshay or a message to his supporters. Actress Geeta Basra, who shared a selfie with Paresh, added to the buzz, but the actor hasn’t commented on the t-shirt’s significance. Whatever the reason, Paresh’s departure has left a Babu Bhaiya-sized hole in Hera Pheri 3.
Akshay Kumar’s Legal Strike: The ₹25 Crore Notice
Akshay Kumar, who plays the scheming Raju and is co-producing Hera Pheri 3 through his company Cape of Good Films, didn’t take Paresh’s exit lightly. In a dramatic move, Akshay’s production house slapped Paresh with a ₹25 crore legal notice, accusing him of “unprofessional conduct” and “breach of contract.” According to the notice, Paresh had accepted a ₹11 lakh signing amount and even shot a teaser for the film alongside Akshay and Suniel Shetty. The production house claims his sudden exit caused major disruptions, delaying schedules, derailing promotional plans, and leading to hefty financial losses.
Akshay’s team argues that Paresh’s commitment was crucial, especially since Akshay bought the Hera Pheri rights from original producer Firoz Nadiadwala only after getting a verbal nod from Paresh and Suniel. A source close to the production told a news outlet, “Akshay invested heavily in reviving this debt-free franchise. Paresh’s walkout has thrown everything into chaos, and the losses are massive.” The notice demands ₹25 crore in damages and warns of further civil and criminal action if Paresh doesn’t comply.
Paresh, however, isn’t backing down. He returned the ₹11 lakh signing amount with 15% interest and an additional goodwill payment. His legal team, led by Anand & Naik, hit back, calling Akshay’s claims “untenable.” They argue that no formal agreement was signed, and key deliverables like a finalized script were never provided. Paresh tweeted, “My lawyer, Ameet Naik, has sent an appropriate response regarding my rightful termination and exit. Once they read it, all issues will be laid to rest.” His team insists that labeling a veteran like Paresh “unprofessional” is unfair, given his four-decade-long career.
Suniel Shetty and Priyadarshan: Caught in the Crossfire
The Hera Pheri 3 drama has also left co-star Suniel Shetty and director Priyadarshan in a tough spot. Suniel, who plays the earnest Shyam, expressed shock and sadness over Paresh’s exit. Speaking to a news agency, he said, “This is a crisis. Hera Pheri can’t happen without Paresh. There’s a 1% chance it could work without me or Akshay, but 100% it can’t happen without Babu Bhaiya.” Suniel revealed he considered reaching out to Paresh but decided to meet him in person to understand his reasons. Fans have rallied behind Suniel’s sentiment, with many saying the trio’s chemistry is irreplaceable.
Priyadarshan, who directed the original Hera Pheri in 2000, is equally baffled. He told a publication, “Akshay had tears in his eyes when he asked me, ‘Priyan, why is Paresh doing this to us?’ I have nothing to lose, but Akshay has invested money in this project.” The director emphasized that Akshay never interfered with Paresh’s role and that the decision to proceed with Hera Pheri 3 was made only after everyone agreed. Priyadarshan’s hurt is evident, especially since he and Paresh recently worked together on another film, Bhooth Bangla
Fan Outrage and the Pankaj Tripathi Buzz
Fans of the Hera Pheri franchise are devastated by Paresh’s exit, flooding social media with pleas for him to return. Popular YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani even made an emotional appeal, saying, “You’re the soul of the franchise. Please come back, Paresh ji.” Many fans argue that Babu Bhaiya’s character is untouchable, with one writing, “It’s not just Paresh; it’s Raju, Shyam, and Babu Bhaiya that make Hera Pheri. No one can replace them.”
Amid the chaos, an AI-generated image of Pankaj Tripathi as Babu Bhaiya went viral, sparking rumors that he might step into Paresh’s shoes. While some fans called Pankaj a “next best choice,” others felt he could never match Paresh’s comic timing. A Reddit user commented, “Pankaj is brilliant, but Babu Bhaiya is Paresh Rawal’s. It’d feel like a reboot, not a sequel.” There’s no official word on Pankaj’s involvement, and the idea seems more like fan speculation than reality for now.
Can Hera Pheri 3 Survive Without Babu Bhaiya?
The big question looming over Bollywood is whether Hera Pheri 3 can move forward without Paresh Rawal. Akshay Kumar remains hopeful, recently telling a publication, “I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I know everything will go well.” He emphasized his 32-year friendship with Paresh, calling him a “great actor” but refusing to discuss the legal battle publicly. However, the absence of a finalized script and the ongoing legal tussle cast a dark shadow over the project.
Interestingly, Paresh and Akshay are still set to work together in other films, like Bhooth Bangla and Welcome to the Jungle, suggesting their professional fallout might not be personal. There’s also faint hope among fans that Paresh could reconsider, especially given the franchise’s massive popularity. Himesh Reshammiya, during a recent Mumbai concert, praised Paresh’s performances in the first two Hera Pheri films, reminding everyone of his unmatched contribution.
What’s Next for Hera Pheri 3?
As of now, Hera Pheri 3 is stuck in a limbo of legal battles, incomplete scripts, and broken hearts. The film, which promised to reunite the iconic trio under Priyadarshan’s direction, was one of Bollywood’s most anticipated projects. But Paresh Rawal’s exit has turned it into a cautionary tale of how even the biggest franchises can crumble under off-screen drama.
For fans, the dream of seeing Raju, Shyam, and Babu Bhaiya back in action feels like a distant hope. Will Paresh return? Can Akshay and Suniel pull off the comedy without Babu Bhaiya? Or will Hera Pheri 3 become a classic case of “yeh baburao ka style hai” gone wrong? Only time will tell, but one thing’s clear: this Bollywood saga is more entertaining than a Hera Pheri plot twist!
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Last Updated on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 11:52 am by Naga Surya Teja Ganpisetty | Published by: Naga Surya Teja Ganpisetty on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 11:49 am | News Categories: Entertainment
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