25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Suniel Shetty says shooting with Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal for Hera Pheri 3 promo didn't feel like 25 years had passed: ‘I was shocked…'
Hera Pheri 3 continues to be in limbo as Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar exchange legal responses following the former's sudden exit from the threequel. Stuck in the crossfire is Suniel Shetty, who's still hopeful about the reconciliation, yet extremely shocked at the recent turn of events.
'We recently shot the Hera Pheri 3 promo. It didn't feel like we three were doing Hera Pheri with Priyadarshan after 25 years! That was the continuity, that is the understanding. Our give-and-take is so wonderful,' said Shetty in an interview with The Lallantop. He added he's in a 'state of shock' after Rawal broke the news of his exit from the film on his X handle last week.
Shetty said, 'It's a shocker! It was the biggest excitement, not only for me, but also for Akshay, Paresh, their families, their people, our fans, and even for my kids. Ahan (Shetty, son) sent me the (news) cutting today and asked me, 'Papa, what happened? Why?''
'I just read that Paresh ji isn't doing the film. But I've been busy promoting Kesari Veer. So I'll go back to Mumbai after 23rd and talk to him about it. I don't know what happened. Everything was on track. I don't think we can imagine anyone else in these characters. Nobody can play Raju other than Akshay like no one can play Shyam other than me,' he added.
Suniel Shetty claimed that one can't imagine a Hera Pheri film without Paresh Rawal as Babu Bhaiya. 'There's a one percent chance you can manage without Shyam and Rahul, but it's impossible without Babu Bhaiya,' reasoned Shetty. Ten years ago, in fact, Hera Pheri 3 was announced with Shetty and Rawal reprising their characters, and Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham coming on board as Raju and 'Duplicate Raju.'
Shetty recalled his fond memories of filming the first installment of Hera Pher, which released back in 2000. While shooting for the film at a studio in Chennai, Priyadarshan didn't let the three of them iron their clothes, made them wipe off their makeup, and asked them to sleep on newspapers on the floor between takes.
'Priyan sir knows exactly where to cut. Sometimes, an actor feels they should do more, but he says, 'No more is required.' Brilliant, brilliant, genius,' said Shetty.
Suniel Shetty also recalled how Priyadarshan broke casting perceptions by hiring him and Akshay Kumar, who were known for action roles, in comedy parts. Shetty feels casting Rawal as Babu Bhaiya was also a great move, given he was only doing negative roles before that.
Also Read — Paresh Rawal opens up on Akshay Kumar's lawsuit for exiting Hera Pheri 3: 'My lawyer has sent an appropriate response, all issues will be laid to rest'
'When the Hera Pheri poster came out, the audience wondered how someone like Babu Bhaiya would control these two action stars. That surprise element is what led to the success of the film,' argued Shetty.
