The long-awaited sequel to the iconic Hindi film series, Hera Pheri 3, has been the talk of the town lately, especially with the controversies surrounding its casting. While many fans hoped Kartik Aaryan would join the original cast of Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty, the recent clarifications from Rawal have shed light on the changing dynamics of the film.
Paresh Rawal, who has been vocal about the direction the film should take, recently revealed during his conversation with Siddharth Kannan, the reason behind Aaryan's exit from Hera Pheri 3. Initially, Aaryan was set to appear, but not as Kumar’s beloved character Raju. Instead, he was meant to play a completely different role. Rawal stated, "Kartik was signed for the film. At the time, the story of the film was different. They cast him thinking he would play Raju, but his character was completely different.”
The much-anticipated sequel to the 2006 hit, Phir Hera Pheri, is being reimagined under the helm of director Priyadarshan, who previously directed the original Hera Pheri film back in 2000. Rawal confirmed with excitement, "Akshay was going to come... something like this," indicating the actor's return to the franchise was always part of the plan. He reassured fans, saying, "The film’s story has been changed. Kartik isn’t part of the film now." This statement effectively quashed the speculation about whether Aaryan would replace Kumar.
Highlighting the challenges faced with the last film, Phir Hera Pheri, Rawal expressed disappointment, admitting the film did not reach its full potential largely due to unnecessary sequences. "Everybody was overconfident about the film. It lost its innocence," he said, referring to how the film's humor sometimes danced on the edge of absurdity. He elaborated on the need for balance, emphasizing, "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.”
While there has been much excitement about Aaryan's involvement, Rawal cautioned against jumping to conclusions, critiquing attempts to create sequels solely for financial gain. "I only welcome Lage Raho Munna Bhai, the sequel to Munna Bhai MBBS. That’s a quantum leap. But if you’re making a sequel just to mint money, there isn’t any fun involved,” he stated poignantly, discussing the responsibility filmmakers have to the characters audiences love.
The back-and-forth with Aaryan, who was initially seen as a potential successor to Kumar, has tangled the narrative surrounding Hera Pheri 3. It was clear from Rawal's comments, echoed across various interviews, the confusion surrounding Aaryan's role stemmed from the film's shifting storyline. “At the time, the story was different, and he was brought for the role of Raju, but it was actually another character,” he reassured fans about Aaryan's initial involvement.
Many fans expressed their discontent over the prospect of replacing Kumar, indicating the film is not just entertainment but is woven deeply with emotional ties. Commenting on social media, one fan articulated, "Kartik Aryan is good but not for Hera Pheri because it’s not just a film but an emotion for us, and you can’t play with our emotions.”
The cast's return, anchored by the reliable trio of Rawal, Kumar, and Shetty, suggests promising outings for the third installment. The anticipated shoot for Hera Pheri 3 is now scheduled for later this year, around August or September, with the excitement building over the original team's reunion, particularly following Priyadarshan’s confirmation. He expressed on social media, "Thank you so much for your wishes, Akshay. I’m willing to do Hera Pheri 3. Are you ready?”
Fans of the beloved franchise can now breathe easy, knowing the original cast will reunite, taking audiences on another hysterical ride. Despite numerous twists and turns, the commitment to preserving the essence of what made Hera Pheri unforgettable remains at the forefront. With Priyadarshan back as director and the fateful ensemble poised to take the spotlight, Hera Pheri 3 promises to deliver the charm and humor audiences have eagerly awaited.