Pankaj Tripathi To Replace Paresh Rawal In Hera Pheri 3?

Paresh Rawal confirms exit from Hera Pheri 3; Pankaj Tripathi rules out replacing him. Akshay Kumar's production house sends a ₹25 crore legal notice over breach of contract.

The sudden exit of veteran actor Paresh Rawal from 'Hera Pheri 3' has left fans across the country stunned. Rawal, who immortalized the iconic character Babu Bhaiya, confirmed the news himself, leading to widespread speculation about who could potentially replace him in the much-loved comedy franchise.

Social media quickly buzzed with suggestions, and one name that repeatedly surfaced was Pankaj Tripathi. However, the acclaimed actor has humbly dismissed the idea. In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, the Mirzapur and Gangs of Wasseypur star addressed the online chatter:"That is something I have also heard and read. I don't believe in it. Paresh ji is an amazing actor. I am zero in front of him. I respect him a lot. I don't think I am the right person for the role," said Tripathi, ruling out the possibility of stepping into Babu Bhaiya's shoes.

Akshay Kumar sent legal notice to Paresh Rawal

Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar’s production house, Cape of Good Films, has reportedly issued a legal notice to Paresh Rawal, seeking ₹25 crore in damages. The notice claims that Rawal acted in an unprofessional manner by abruptly backing out of Hera Pheri 3 despite signing a legal agreement and participating in the film's early stages of shooting.

To clear the air, Paresh Rawal took to X (formerly Twitter), saying:"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 disagreements with the filmmaker. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan, the film’s director."

Paresh Rawal on Hera Pheri exit

Rawal’s 'Hera Pheri' co-star Suniel Shetty also reacted to the news in an interview with India Today. He said:"We are in the middle of this film, and this is the biggest shock. We were supposed to start shooting next year — in fact, we had already begun. We even shot a promo. It’s a big deal. This is so shocking. I can’t make sense of it."

As fans await clarity on the future of 'Hera Pheri 3', the departure of Paresh Rawal from the franchise marks a major turning point.