Paresh Rawal birthday special: Why Hera Pheri just can’t work without Babu Bhaiya

Paresh Rawal recently quit Hera Pheri 3

When one thinks of Indian comedy, a few names immediately come to mind — and right up there is Paresh Rawal as Babu Bhaiya in Hera Pheri (2000). Babu Bhai was originally written as a supporting character, but he ended up stealing the show. As talks of Hera Pheri 3 continue to stir excitement, one truth remains constant: the franchise won't be the same without Paresh Rawal.

Babu Bhaiya is the soul of Hera Pheri — an eccentric, confused, yet surprisingly grounded landlord whose expressions and catchphrases have outlived even the movie’s storyline. Whether it’s his iconic "Utha le re baba" or his hopeless attempts to maintain peace between Raju and Shyam, every scene with Babu Bhaiya is pure comic gold.

Paresh Rawal’s performance brings out Babu Bhaiya’s multiple layers — he is a cranky landlord, a struggling man with a heart, someone who has muddled morals, and a survivalist’s instinct. He’s greedy yet generous, short-tempered yet affectionate.

In Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Paresh Rawal doubled down on the character’s eccentricity, and delivered some of the most memorable lines. Even amidst the chaos, it’s his expressions — half-clueless, half-wise — that anchor the film. Without him, the trio would fall apart.

Also Read: Hera Pheri: 10 iconic hilarious dialogues from Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Suniel Shetty's film

And that’s precisely why Hera Pheri without Paresh Rawal feels unimaginable. While the other two characters — Raju and Shyam — are equally iconic, it’s Babu Bhaiya who binds the chaos with his unintentional hilarity and unexpected warmth. He doesn’t chase the spotlight, yet always ends up at the center of every laugh.

As concerns Hera Pheri 3, Paresh Rawal recently confirmed his exit but clarified, “I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences.”

With Hera Pheri 3 on the horizon, fans are united in one demand: no Babu Bhaiya, no Hera Pheri. Because no matter how many sequels or spin-offs come and go, there’s only one Babu Bhaiya — and he belongs to Paresh Rawal.