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

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.