When Paresh Rawal announced his departure from Hera Pheri 3 earlier this year, fans of the franchise were devastated. The absence of his iconic character, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, left a gaping hole in the film’s heart—and a mountain of speculation in its wake. Was it creative conflict? Was it a publicity stunt? Or simply artistic fatigue?
Now, months later, Rawal has not only confirmed his return to the franchise, but also reignited hope for the much-awaited third instalment. But what exactly happened behind the scenes to bring the beloved Babu Bhaiya back? The answer involves long-standing friendships, backchannel diplomacy, and a whole lot of goodwill.
A Family Affair: The Power of Old Bonds
In a conversation with Pinkvilla, producer Firoz Nadiadwala opened up about the real catalysts behind the emotional reunion. He credited veteran producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Ahmed Khan with playing pivotal roles in reconciling differences and healing old wounds.
“With love, respect, and kind guidance of my brother Sajid Nadiadwala, and also Mr Ahmed Khan, the Hera Pheri family is back together,” said Firoz. “My brother, Sajid, put in a lot of personal time and effort, over several days, to resolve the matter. We have a bond of over 50 years.”
Ahmed Khan, too, emerged as a silent force behind the scenes. According to Firoz, both men poured their personal energies into aligning everyone’s vision for the film and ensuring that Hera Pheri 3 would not go forward without the spirit that made it iconic in the first place.
Akshay Kumar’s Role: The Unexpected Peacemaker
The man who has often carried the franchise with his comic timing and mass appeal—Akshay Kumar—was not just a lead actor this time but a producer and key mediator. “We also have Akshay ji’s support,” Firoz added. “He was very kind, loving, and affectionate in the entire process of sorting out the issues. We’ve shared a very good bond since 1996.”
It was this network of trust and history that helped bridge the gap between Rawal and the production team. Earlier, Rawal had officially stepped away from the film and returned his signing amount with a reported 15% interest. The move was widely viewed as final, prompting some fans to even question whether it was part of a PR strategy.
A Twist in the Tale: The Podcast Confirmation
In a revealing conversation on The Himanshu Mehta Show, Paresh Rawal finally broke his silence and confirmed what fans had been hoping for. Laughing off earlier differences, he said, “Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi (The film was always going to happen), but it’s just that we had to fine-tune ourselves.”
More than conflict, it seems the issue was about aligning creative visions. “After all, all of them are creative—be it Priyadarshan, Akshay, or Suniel. They are friends for many, many, many years,” Rawal added, hinting that friendship eventually triumphed over formal disagreements.
What This Means for Hera Pheri 3
With the original trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—reunited and Priyadarshan back at the helm, Hera Pheri 3 seems ready to reclaim its throne in the comedy genre. The film now holds the promise of nostalgia, friendship, and laughter—all wrapped up in the unmistakable madness of Babu Bhaiya and Co.
For fans, the return of Paresh Rawal isn’t just about a character—it’s about reviving the soul of a film that has defined a generation's sense of humour. And now, with the family back together, the reel madness is ready to roll once again.
Now, months later, Rawal has not only confirmed his return to the franchise, but also reignited hope for the much-awaited third instalment. But what exactly happened behind the scenes to bring the beloved Babu Bhaiya back? The answer involves long-standing friendships, backchannel diplomacy, and a whole lot of goodwill.
A Family Affair: The Power of Old Bonds
In a conversation with Pinkvilla, producer Firoz Nadiadwala opened up about the real catalysts behind the emotional reunion. He credited veteran producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Ahmed Khan with playing pivotal roles in reconciling differences and healing old wounds.
“With love, respect, and kind guidance of my brother Sajid Nadiadwala, and also Mr Ahmed Khan, the Hera Pheri family is back together,” said Firoz. “My brother, Sajid, put in a lot of personal time and effort, over several days, to resolve the matter. We have a bond of over 50 years.”
Ahmed Khan, too, emerged as a silent force behind the scenes. According to Firoz, both men poured their personal energies into aligning everyone’s vision for the film and ensuring that Hera Pheri 3 would not go forward without the spirit that made it iconic in the first place.
Akshay Kumar’s Role: The Unexpected Peacemaker
The man who has often carried the franchise with his comic timing and mass appeal—Akshay Kumar—was not just a lead actor this time but a producer and key mediator. “We also have Akshay ji’s support,” Firoz added. “He was very kind, loving, and affectionate in the entire process of sorting out the issues. We’ve shared a very good bond since 1996.”
It was this network of trust and history that helped bridge the gap between Rawal and the production team. Earlier, Rawal had officially stepped away from the film and returned his signing amount with a reported 15% interest. The move was widely viewed as final, prompting some fans to even question whether it was part of a PR strategy.
A Twist in the Tale: The Podcast Confirmation
In a revealing conversation on The Himanshu Mehta Show, Paresh Rawal finally broke his silence and confirmed what fans had been hoping for. Laughing off earlier differences, he said, “Pehle bhi aane hi waali thi (The film was always going to happen), but it’s just that we had to fine-tune ourselves.”
More than conflict, it seems the issue was about aligning creative visions. “After all, all of them are creative—be it Priyadarshan, Akshay, or Suniel. They are friends for many, many, many years,” Rawal added, hinting that friendship eventually triumphed over formal disagreements.
What This Means for Hera Pheri 3
With the original trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—reunited and Priyadarshan back at the helm, Hera Pheri 3 seems ready to reclaim its throne in the comedy genre. The film now holds the promise of nostalgia, friendship, and laughter—all wrapped up in the unmistakable madness of Babu Bhaiya and Co.
For fans, the return of Paresh Rawal isn’t just about a character—it’s about reviving the soul of a film that has defined a generation's sense of humour. And now, with the family back together, the reel madness is ready to roll once again.
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