Paresh Rawal Birthday Special: When Babu Bhaiya Claimed Phir Hera Pheri Had Lost Its Innocence

On the occasion of veteran actor Paresh Rawal’s 70th birthday, fans fondly recalled one of his most iconic characters—Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, lovingly known as Babu Bhaiya—from the Hera Pheri franchise. While the original film Hera Pheri (2000) is celebrated as a classic in Indian comedy, Rawal has been candid about his feelings toward its 2006 sequel Phir Hera Pheri, expressing that the follow-up lost the simplicity and innocence that made the first film so special.

In an interview earlier this year, Paresh Rawal reflected on the making of Phir Hera Pheri, stating that the sequel suffered due to overconfidence from the creators. “Everybody was overconfident about the film. It lost its innocence. Sorry to say, but wo film nahi bani thi barabar (the film wasn’t made properly),” he remarked. According to Rawal, the first film had a charming naivety and originality, which was lost in the sequel’s attempt to overdo comedy and complex storytelling.

He shared how he had warned director Neeraj Vohra about not overcomplicating the film or relying on forced humor. Rawal explained that just because audiences laugh at absurd things doesn’t mean filmmakers should compromise their artistic sensibilities. “People will laugh at anything; they will laugh if somebody is running naked, but we don’t have to run naked. The sense of proportion should be on you,” he said, highlighting the importance of tasteful, intelligent comedy.

Paresh Rawal also criticized the idea of making sequels solely for profit. He pointed out that while characters like Babu Bhaiya carry a significant fan following and goodwill, simply recycling jokes and creating spin-offs does not guarantee the same magic. “If you’re making a sequel just to mint money, that isn’t fun. You have a character like Baburao, which has a goodwill of ₹500 crore. You put that character in another backdrop. If you only change the jokes, what’s the meaning of that?” he questioned.

Recently, Rawal made headlines for stepping away from the much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3, sparking rumors of creative disagreements. However, he later clarified that his decision had nothing to do with any dispute with the filmmakers. “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,” he stated.

The news of his departure surprised fans and even his co-stars. Suniel Shetty expressed his disappointment, revealing that neither he nor Akshay Kumar was informed. Reportedly, this led to legal tensions, with Akshay Kumar’s production house allegedly filing a ₹25 crore lawsuit against Rawal for causing financial damage.

Despite all the drama, audiences continue to hope for Paresh Rawal’s return to the franchise. His portrayal of Babu Bhaiya remains irreplaceable and central to the soul of Hera Pheri. As he celebrates his 70th birthday, his reflections offer a valuable insight into the need for integrity, originality, and emotional connection in cinema—a legacy he continues to uphold with every role.