Veteran actor Paresh Rawal officially confirmed that he has decided to step back from the third installment of his cult franchise, Hera Pheri, on Sunday. However, he quashed the reports of "creative differences" being the reason behind him quitting the film.
Rawal took to his X handle and wrote, "I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FILM MAKER (sic)."
"I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director (sic)," he added.
Netizens react to Paresh Rawal's exit from Hera Pheri 3
As soon as he confirmed not being a part of Hera Pheri 3, fans of the actor and the franchise expressed their disappointment and stated that no one can replace him as Baburao Apte in Hera Pheri 3.
"Hera Pheri without Baburao is hard to imagine. You made the role unforgettable with your perfect timing and expressions," a user commented under the actor's post, while another wrote, "You don't want to get trapped again in Babu Bhaiya Image?"
Reports of creative differences
On Saturday, reports went viral that Rawal walked out of Hera Pheri 3 due to creative differences with Priyadarshan. The actor too, reacting to the reports, said, "Yes, it's a fact".
However, seems like he was only acknowledging the news about his exit from the franchise and not the rumoured reason. The actor is yet to reveal why he chose to not reprise his role of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in Hera Pheri 3.
Hera Pheri was released in 2000, and was directed by Priyadarshan, the film also starred Tabu, Om Puri and Gulshan Grover in pivotal roles.
Later, in 2006, the sequel to Hera Pheri was released, titled Phir Hera Pheri, which once again starred the iconic trio — Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty — reprising their original roles.
