Suniel Shetty on ‘Hera Pheri 3’: “No Akshay, Maybe—But No Hera Pheri Without Paresh Rawal”

Suniel Shetty recently said that Hera Pheri 3 could move forward without Akshay Kumar but not without Paresh Rawal. He stressed that Rawal’s role as Baburao is essential to the franchise’s identity.

FlipFileZone - MAY 21, 2025

Suniel Shetty on ‘Hera Pheri 3’: “No Akshay, Maybe—But No Hera Pheri Without Paresh Rawal”

Image Source: Instagram/suniel.shetty

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty has stirred the conversation around the long-awaited ‘Hera Pheri 3’ with his recent comments about the film’s cast. In a candid interview, Shetty emphasized that while the franchise might manage to move ahead without Akshay Kumar, it simply cannot exist without Paresh Rawal, who famously plays the iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte.

Shetty, who plays Shyam in the franchise, acknowledged that fans are emotionally attached to the original trio—Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and himself. However, he made it clear that the heart of Hera Pheri lies in Rawal’s impeccable comedic timing and unique portrayal of Baburao. According to Shetty, Rawal is the soul of the series, and his presence is absolutely non-negotiable for any continuation of the franchise.

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While there has been much speculation about Akshay Kumar’s involvement—or possible exit—from the third installment, Shetty's remarks suggest a flexible yet focused approach to the film's development. He expressed hope that the original team would reunite but was firm in saying that Paresh Rawal's character is too iconic to replace.

Fans of the franchise continue to await official updates, but Shetty's comments have reignited excitement—and debate—about what’s next for one of Bollywood’s most beloved comedy series.