Paresh Rawal has finally clarified the confusion surrounding Kartik Aaryan’s involvement in Phir Hera Pheri 3. He revealed that Kartik was signed for an earlier version of the film, but Akshay Kumar was always meant to be part of the project.
Paresh Rawal clears the air about Kartik Aaryan’s role in Phir Hera Pheri 3, confirming Akshay Kumar was always part of the project.
The buzz around Phir Hera Pheri 3, starring Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty, continues to grow as fans eagerly await updates on the much-anticipated Bollywood sequel. Nearly three years ago, Paresh Rawal had confirmed Kartik Aaryan’s involvement in the franchise, a revelation that took the internet by storm. However, the veteran actor has now clarified the situation, explaining that Kartik was considered for a different storyline, and Akshay Kumar was always meant to be part of the project.
In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Paresh Rawal addressed his previous comment, revealing that Kartik Aaryan had signed on for an earlier version of Hera Pheri 3, which was eventually shelved. “Vo kahani alag thi tabhi, isko Raju samajh kar pakad kar laaye the, ye alag hi kirdar tha (That was a different story then, and he was brought for the role of Raju, but it was actually a different character),” he explained, emphasizing that he hadn’t heard the complete script at the time.
The actor further clarified that Kartik’s role was never meant to replace Akshay Kumar’s iconic character, Raju. “Kahani alag ho gayi, abhi Priyadarshan aa rahe hain (The story has changed now, and Priyadarshan has joined the project),” he added, confirming the renowned director’s involvement in the film.
For context, back in 2022, a fan had asked Paresh Rawal on X (formerly Twitter), “Paresh Rawal sir, is it true that Kartik Aaryan is doing Hera Pheri 3?” to which the actor had responded, “Yes, it’s true.” This statement had fueled widespread speculation about the film’s casting.
During the same interview, the OMG actor also shared an exciting update regarding the film’s production schedule. He revealed that the shoot for Phir Hera Pheri 3 is expected to commence around August or September 2025 but not any earlier.
Interestingly, Priyadarshan had officially confirmed his involvement with the project earlier this year. Responding to Akshay Kumar’s birthday wish in January, the acclaimed filmmaker wrote, “Thank you so much for your wishes, Akshay. In return, I would like to give you a gift. I am willing to do Hera Pheri 3. Are you ready, Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal?”
With the original trio reuniting and Priyadarshan at the helm, Phir Hera Pheri 3 promises to bring back the iconic humor and charm that made the franchise a fan favorite.
