Pankaj Tripathi on fans wanting him as Babu Rao in Hera Pheri 3: Logon ne toh posters bhi banana shuru kar diya hai

Will Pankaj Tripathi take up Babu Rao's role in Hera Pheri 3

Online rumours about Hera Pheri 3 have sparked a passionate campaign by fans who want Pankaj Tripathi to replace Paresh Rawal in the beloved role of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte.

The internet appears to be certain that Pankaj Tripathi would make the ideal successor, as evidenced by the widespread circulation of posters, memes, and petitions. However, the well-known actor is correcting the record.

“Logon ne toh posters aur meme bhi banana shuru kar diya hai,” Pankaj Tripathi chuckled, Addressing the rumours head-on, he told Subhash K Jha, “That I am playing Baburao? None at all! No truth. I have not even been approached to play the part. This is more wishful thinking of fans than fact.”

And are those wishes coming from fans of Tripathi or from lovers of the Hera Pheri franchise? “Both! Somehow they feel I am the best man to play the character after the original (Paresh Rawal). But I haven’t been offered the role. And even if I did get the offer, I don’t think I would want to step into the iconic part. Log compare karenge kha-ma-kha. It would not be something I want.”

Despite turning down the idea, Tripathi expressed gratitude for the affection. “I am flattered that fans feel I can fill those shoes. That character from Hera Pheri is iconic.”

Meanwhile, tensions have escalated behind the scenes. Paresh Rawal, who officially exited the film on May 16, citing that the role was “not something he wants to do now,” is now embroiled in legal proceedings.

Also Read: Paresh Rawal’s legal team claims no script was shared with the veteran actor for Hera Pheri 3: Report

Akshay Kumar’s production company, Cape of Good Films, has reportedly filed a lawsuit against him, demanding Rs 25 crore in damages. According to the production house, Paresh Rawal had already received Rs 11 lakh as a signing fee and had even filmed a teaser alongside Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty.

Paresh Rawal’s legal team has responded, and the veteran actor is said to have returned the signing amount along with interest. At a recent event, Akshay defended his long-time co-star, saying, “It is not right to use this kind of word for one of my co-star like 'foolish'... He is a great actor. I really admire him.”