Paresh Rawal confirms his exit from Hera Pheri 3

In what comes as a surprising development for fans of the iconic

Hera Pheri

franchise, veteran actor Paresh Rawal has officially confirmed his exit from

Hera Pheri 3

. The news was first hinted at by Suniel Shetty a few days ago, when the actor mentioned in an interview that Rawal had opted out of the much-awaited sequel over creative differences with the team. However, on Sunday morning, Paresh Rawal took to social media to address the speculation and set the record straight.Sharing a statement on his official handle, Rawal 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 disagreements with the filmmaker. I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan, the film director.”

His clarification comes amidst growing curiosity about the future of the franchise and its beloved characters. Rawal’s portrayal of

Baburao Ganpatrao Apte

remains one of the most memorable and iconic performances in Hindi cinema’s comedy genre. The character’s absence in the third installment will undoubtedly leave a void for fans who have followed the franchise since its inception in 2000.

Interestingly, Hera Pheri 3 has seen several ups and downs over the years, with multiple changes in directors, scripts, and casting. While the original trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal were reportedly set to reunite under Priyadarshan’s direction, Rawal’s confirmed departure raises new questions about the film’s casting and direction. At one point Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham were supposed to be part of the film , then KartikAaryan’s name had also popped up. With Rawal now out of the picture, it remains to be seen how the team plans to carry forward the much-loved franchise without its heart and soul, Baburao.