Actor Suniel Shetty is grappling with confusion and disbelief following the unexpected exit of veteran actor Paresh Rawal from Hera Pheri 3. In a recent conversation with India Today, Shetty, who is currently promoting his upcoming project Kesari Veer in Delhi, expressed his complete lack of awareness regarding the shocking development. According to him, even his longtime friend and co-star Akshay Kumar is equally puzzled by the turn of events.
“I honestly have no idea what’s going on,” Shetty said when asked about Rawal’s sudden departure. “It came out of nowhere. My first instinct was to send him a message, but then I thought it’d be better to speak in person. I haven’t spoken to anyone about it, and neither has Akshay. He’s just as clueless.”
Describing the situation as nothing short of a crisis, Shetty didn't hold back his concern. “This really is a crisis. We’re midway through the film’s process, and this just hits us like a bolt from the blue,” he admitted.
Shetty, who is returning as the beloved character Shyam in the comedy franchise, revealed that it was his children—Athiya and Ahaan—who first informed him about the news. “We had already started the groundwork. In fact, we had shot a promo and were planning to begin full-fledged shooting next year,” he explained. “Out of the blue, I get this message—first from Athiya, then Ahaan—both asking me, ‘Papa, what’s this?’ They sent it to me within minutes of each other. I was in the middle of interviews when I saw it, and I just froze. I was like, ‘Holy s***, what’s happening’?”
For Shetty, the Hera Pheri franchise isn't just another film—it’s a piece of his emotional fabric and a project that means a great deal on both personal and professional fronts. "You know, this film is important for our mental health. I don't know what's going to happen," he said.
Paresh Rawal Reveals Real Reason Why He Left
In a candid interview with Mid-Day, the actor dismissed rumours of a creative fallout with director Priyadarshan. He also silenced speculations that he opted out as he was dissatisfied with the pay package.
“I love Priyadarshan and have great respect and faith in him as a director. We have done wonderful movies together in the past and will continue to do so. There were no creative differences, nor is there a possibility of having any with him. No amount of money compares to the love and respect of my audience. Right now, I just feel that it is a role I don’t want to do, that’s all..." he said.
He explained that while he had enjoyed essaying the role of Baburao, he no longer feels attached to the franchise. "We three make a great combination with Priyadarshanji directing us, but the fact is that I opted out because today I don’t feel like a part of it," he told the magazine.
About 'Hera Pheri' Series
Hera Pheri (which loosely translates to "mischief" or "deception") is a widely celebrated Indian comedy film franchise known for its chaotic humor and memorable characters. The original movie, released in 2000, was helmed by filmmaker Priyadarshan and produced under the banner of A.G. Nadiadwala. The second installment came under the direction of Neeraj Vora, while the upcoming third film is being handled by director Farhad Samji.
The inaugural film is actually a Hindi adaptation of the 1989 Malayalam hit Ramji Rao Speaking, which itself drew inspiration from the 1971 American television thriller See the Man Run. This cinematic chain of influences ultimately gave birth to one of India's most beloved comedy franchises.
The central storyline of the first film follows the chaotic lives of three struggling men: Raju, an unemployed dreamer; Shyam, a man desperate to secure a job at the bank where his late father worked; and their eccentric but kind-hearted landlord, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte. All three are living in financial ruin, barely managing to make ends meet.
Their luck takes an unexpected turn when a misdirected phone call intended for someone else lands on Baburao’s phone line due to a crossed telephone connection. The call is from a kidnapper demanding ransom for a wealthy businessman’s granddaughter. Realizing the gravity—and the opportunity—of the situation, the trio decides to impersonate the kidnappers themselves in order to pocket the ransom money.
What follows is a series of misadventures, mistaken identities, and comic chaos, as the three try to execute their amateur plan. Their get-rich-quick scheme spirals into a whirlwind of confusion, tension, and slapstick comedy, ultimately winning the hearts of audiences across the nation.
Hera Pheri marked the beginning of a timeless franchise that blended situational comedy with elements of crime and desperation, all tied together by outstanding performances and razor-sharp dialogues. Over the years, the film has gained a cult following, and its characters—especially Baburao, portrayed by Paresh Rawal—have become iconic figures in Indian pop culture.
With its roots in cross-cultural cinema and its heart in relatable, everyday struggles, Hera Pheri remains a benchmark in the genre of Indian comedy films. The franchise continues to evolve, and fans eagerly await the next chapter in this rollercoaster ride of hilarity and heart.
“I honestly have no idea what’s going on,” Shetty said when asked about Rawal’s sudden departure. “It came out of nowhere. My first instinct was to send him a message, but then I thought it’d be better to speak in person. I haven’t spoken to anyone about it, and neither has Akshay. He’s just as clueless.”
Describing the situation as nothing short of a crisis, Shetty didn't hold back his concern. “This really is a crisis. We’re midway through the film’s process, and this just hits us like a bolt from the blue,” he admitted.
Shetty, who is returning as the beloved character Shyam in the comedy franchise, revealed that it was his children—Athiya and Ahaan—who first informed him about the news. “We had already started the groundwork. In fact, we had shot a promo and were planning to begin full-fledged shooting next year,” he explained. “Out of the blue, I get this message—first from Athiya, then Ahaan—both asking me, ‘Papa, what’s this?’ They sent it to me within minutes of each other. I was in the middle of interviews when I saw it, and I just froze. I was like, ‘Holy s***, what’s happening’?”
For Shetty, the Hera Pheri franchise isn't just another film—it’s a piece of his emotional fabric and a project that means a great deal on both personal and professional fronts. "You know, this film is important for our mental health. I don't know what's going to happen," he said.
Paresh Rawal Reveals Real Reason Why He Left
In a candid interview with Mid-Day, the actor dismissed rumours of a creative fallout with director Priyadarshan. He also silenced speculations that he opted out as he was dissatisfied with the pay package. “I love Priyadarshan and have great respect and faith in him as a director. We have done wonderful movies together in the past and will continue to do so. There were no creative differences, nor is there a possibility of having any with him. No amount of money compares to the love and respect of my audience. Right now, I just feel that it is a role I don’t want to do, that’s all..." he said.
He explained that while he had enjoyed essaying the role of Baburao, he no longer feels attached to the franchise. "We three make a great combination with Priyadarshanji directing us, but the fact is that I opted out because today I don’t feel like a part of it," he told the magazine.
About 'Hera Pheri' Series
Hera Pheri (which loosely translates to "mischief" or "deception") is a widely celebrated Indian comedy film franchise known for its chaotic humor and memorable characters. The original movie, released in 2000, was helmed by filmmaker Priyadarshan and produced under the banner of A.G. Nadiadwala. The second installment came under the direction of Neeraj Vora, while the upcoming third film is being handled by director Farhad Samji.The inaugural film is actually a Hindi adaptation of the 1989 Malayalam hit Ramji Rao Speaking, which itself drew inspiration from the 1971 American television thriller See the Man Run. This cinematic chain of influences ultimately gave birth to one of India's most beloved comedy franchises.
The central storyline of the first film follows the chaotic lives of three struggling men: Raju, an unemployed dreamer; Shyam, a man desperate to secure a job at the bank where his late father worked; and their eccentric but kind-hearted landlord, Baburao Ganpatrao Apte. All three are living in financial ruin, barely managing to make ends meet.
Their luck takes an unexpected turn when a misdirected phone call intended for someone else lands on Baburao’s phone line due to a crossed telephone connection. The call is from a kidnapper demanding ransom for a wealthy businessman’s granddaughter. Realizing the gravity—and the opportunity—of the situation, the trio decides to impersonate the kidnappers themselves in order to pocket the ransom money.
What follows is a series of misadventures, mistaken identities, and comic chaos, as the three try to execute their amateur plan. Their get-rich-quick scheme spirals into a whirlwind of confusion, tension, and slapstick comedy, ultimately winning the hearts of audiences across the nation.
Hera Pheri marked the beginning of a timeless franchise that blended situational comedy with elements of crime and desperation, all tied together by outstanding performances and razor-sharp dialogues. Over the years, the film has gained a cult following, and its characters—especially Baburao, portrayed by Paresh Rawal—have become iconic figures in Indian pop culture.
With its roots in cross-cultural cinema and its heart in relatable, everyday struggles, Hera Pheri remains a benchmark in the genre of Indian comedy films. The franchise continues to evolve, and fans eagerly await the next chapter in this rollercoaster ride of hilarity and heart.
