Paresh Rawal Apologised To Priyadarshan For Leaving Hera Pheri 3: 'I'm Sorry I Left'

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Paresh Rawal apologised to Priyadarshan for quitting Hera Pheri 3, calling it a personal decision. The heartfelt apology paved the way for his return to the film.
In a heartening development for fans of Indian comedy cinema, veteran actor Paresh Rawal is officially back on board for Hera Pheri 3, months after stepping away from the project. Director Priyadarshan, who helmed the original cult classic in 2000, has now opened up about the emotional and surprising turn of events that brought Rawal back into the fold.
In a candid conversation with Mid-Day, Priyadarshan revealed that Paresh personally called to apologise for his earlier exit from the film. 'Both Akshay and Paresh called to say everything is sorted. I was in shock when Paresh said, 'Sir, I'm doing the movie.' He added, 'I've never had anything but respect for you. I've done 26 films with you, and I'm sorry for leaving. There were some personal issues.' He told me that he, Akshay, and Suniel met and cleared the air."
The director, who is currently working on the script, stressed how crucial all three characters—Raju, Shyam, and Baburao—are to the franchise. 'Whatever I do, I cannot surpass Hera Pheri. The second part was bad—it was a copy of a Hollywood film. But Hera Pheri can't happen without all three. In fact, a diamond merchant once approached me on a flight and said, 'Please bring back Paresh Rawal. We won't watch it otherwise,'" he shared.
Earlier this year, fans were left disheartened when Paresh announced he would not be returning to the iconic role of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, citing personal reasons and creative differences. The surprise exit was reportedly followed by Akshay Kumar filing a legal notice, given the impact on production timelines. However, things seem to have taken a positive turn in recent weeks.
During a recent podcast with Himanshu Mehta, Paresh confirmed his return, quipping, 'The film was going to happen anyway; we just needed a bit of fine-tuning. After all, everyone involved—Priyadarshan, Akshay, Suniel—we've been friends for so many years. It was just a matter of realigning."
With the OG trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal now reunited, anticipation for Hera Pheri 3 has skyrocketed. The first film, released in 2000, earned a cult following for its slapstick comedy, unforgettable dialogues, and brilliant chemistry between the leads. Its sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), while less acclaimed critically, became a major box office success.
Now, with Priyadarshan back in the director's chair and the original cast reunited, Hera Pheri 3 promises a nostalgic yet fresh comic ride. Fans can't wait to revisit the chaotic world of Raju, Shyam, and Babu Bhaiya—and see what hilarious mess they land themselves in next.
First Published:
July 03, 2025, 13:03 IST