Hera Pheri 3: A Cinematic Odyssey of Chaos and Comedy
Hera Pheri, which means “foul play,” is a collection of Indian comedies. Priyadarshan directed the first movie, which A.G. produced. Nadiadwala, the second film was directed by Neeraj Vora while the third film will be directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Firoz A. Nadiadwala.
The first film in the series was a remake of the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking. The second film’s central plot is based on Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, and the circus scenes were taken from The Circus by Charlie Chaplin.
The series stars Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal in lead roles. The series’ third installment is currently in the works. Since its debut, this series has amassed a cult following and is now the twenty-ninth highest-grossing Bollywood film series.
Hera Pheri 3
credited from( wikipedia)
It was clear that a third movie was going to be made because the second movie ended on a cliffhanger. However, due to some issues, production was delayed for a long time, and eventually, the project was shelved.
When Neeraj Vora took over as the film’s director in 2017, filming was about to begin. When the film came into production after a long time, Rawal and Kumar elected not to reprise their roles as Baburao and Raju, respectively and were replaced by John Abraham, Nana Patekar and Abhishek Bachchan.
However, Vora suffered a massive stroke and was in a coma and later died, throwing the film’s future in doubt.
Hera Pheri 3 will be directed by Indra Kumar, and Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, and Paresh Rawal will reprise their roles as Raju, Shyam, and Baburao, respectively, from the previous films.
Indra Kumar provided an update on Hera Pheri 3 on February 28, 2019. He stated, “I am happy that everybody’s favorite trio is coming back together again,” and that the movie will feature a lot of VFX. We will start the film towards the end of this year. Scripting is currently underway. I was completely cut off from that project for the last three months because I was busy with Total Dhamaal.”
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a delay in the film’s release, which was originally scheduled for 2021 but was postponed until 2020. The story from the previous two films will continue in this film. It was reported in November 2022 that Kumar would not appear in the third movie due to creative differences.
Paresh Rawal tweeted that Kartik Aaryan will replace Kumar and that the film will go on floors in 2023 with Anees Bazmee, instead of Indra Kumar.[citation needed]
After a number of rumors and reports about Kartik Aaryan’s involvement in Hera Pheri 3 on February 21, 2023, it emerged that Farhad Samji would be directing the film’s shoot at Mumbai’s Empire Studio with the same cast.
On March 6, 2023, Sanjay Dutt’s inclusion in the cast was made official. The director of the third and final installment, Priyadarshan, was announced on January 30, 2025. In May 2025, Paresh Rawal said in a post that he would not be in the third movie. However, he is now said to be back in the movie as of July 2025.
The Echoes of Laughter
In the bustling, chaotic heart of Mumbai, where dreams are spun from desperation and every corner hides a hustle, three unlikely heroes have etched their names into the annals of Bollywood legend.
Raju, Shyam, and Baburao Ganpatrao Apte—Babu Bhaiya to his adoring fans—are no strangers to the art of hera pheri, the foul play that transforms their mundane lives into a whirlwind of misadventure. The year is 2025, and the city hums with its usual cacophony of ambition and absurdity.
The trio, now infamous for their past escapades, finds themselves teetering on the edge of another grand fiasco. Hera Pheri 3, the third chapter of their saga, promises to elevate their shenanigans to new heights, weaving a tale of hidden treasure, mistaken identities, and a brush with the criminal underworld that threatens to unravel their fragile fortunes.
The screen fades in from black, accompanied by the nostalgic strains of a classic Bollywood score, remixed with a modern twist.
The camera sweeps over Mumbai’s skyline, from the glittering high-rises of Bandra to the crowded chawls of Dharavi, before zooming into a familiar, dilapidated garage. The signboard reads, “Star Garage,” but the peeling paint and flickering neon suggest it’s seen better days.
Inside, Baburao, with his iconic spectacles perched precariously on his nose, is arguing over a phone bill, while Raju, ever the schemer, lounges on a charpoy, plotting his next big score. Shyam, the eternal straight man, tries to mediate, only to be drawn into the chaos. The stage is set for a cinematic rollercoaster, where laughter and danger dance hand in hand.
Act One: The Spark of Greed
The story begins with the trio basking in the fleeting glory of their past windfalls, only to find themselves once again on the brink of financial ruin.
Their lavish bungalow from Phir Hera Pheri is gone, sold off to settle debts incurred from a failed venture involving a shady cryptocurrency scheme—Raju’s brainchild, naturally. Now back in Babu Bhaiya’s ramshackle garage, the three are scraping by, their dreams of wealth reduced to arguments over who ate the last samosa.
Raju, played with devilish charm by Akshay Kumar, is restless. His eyes gleam with the hunger for a new con, a new hera pheri to catapult them back to riches.
Shyam (Suniel Shetty), ever cautious but loyal, tries to steer them toward honest work, but his pleas fall on deaf ears. Baburao (Paresh Rawal), the heart and soul of the trio, is blissfully unaware of their predicament, more concerned with fixing a vintage scooter than their dire finances.
The dynamic is as electric as ever, their banter laced with the quick-witted humor that made the franchise a cult classic.
One fateful evening, as the trio drowns their sorrows in cutting chai at a roadside stall, Raju overhears a hushed conversation. A mysterious figure, cloaked in shadows, speaks of a hidden treasure—a cache of diamonds stashed away by a notorious smuggler decades ago, rumored to be worth crores. The location?
A crumbling mansion on the outskirts of Mumbai, now owned by a reclusive billionaire, Mr. Desai (Sanjay Dutt), whose enigmatic presence adds a layer of menace to the tale. Raju’s ears perk up, and his mind races. This is it—their ticket to the big leagues.
Back at the garage, Raju spins a tale of grandeur, painting visions of diamond-encrusted futures. Shyam is skeptical, warning of the risks, but Baburao, swayed by the promise of “shiny-shiny” gems, is all in.
The plan is simple: infiltrate the mansion, posing as antique dealers interested in Desai’s collection of rare artifacts. But nothing is ever simple with these three. Their scheme, like all their schemes, is a house of cards waiting to collapse under the weight of their own incompetence.
Act Two: The Masquerade of Motives
The mansion looms like a relic from a bygone era, its gothic spires piercing the Mumbai skyline. The trio arrives, dressed in ill-fitting suits—Raju’s too tight, Shyam’s too loose, and Baburao’s adorned with a garish tie that screams “discount rack.” Their cover story is flimsy, but Raju’s silver tongue secures them an audience with Desai, a man whose piercing gaze and cryptic smile suggest he’s not easily fooled.
Sanjay Dutt’s Desai is a masterstroke of casting, blending menace with charisma. He’s a man of contradictions—a philanthropist by day, rumored to be a kingpin by night.
His mansion is a labyrinth of opulence and secrets, guarded by a loyal but dim-witted henchman, Chhota Chetan (Jaaved Jaaferi), whose comedic timing rivals Baburao’s.
As the trio tours the mansion, pretending to appraise dusty vases and faded paintings, they stumble upon clues to the treasure’s location: a cryptic map etched into the base of a statue, a riddle about “the heart of the lion.”
But their charade is complicated by the arrival of Anjali (Katrina Kaif), a glamorous journalist investigating Desai’s shady dealings.
Anjali’s sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude make her a formidable presence, and she quickly smells a rat in the trio’s story. Raju, ever the charmer, tries to woo her, but Anjali sees through his façade, setting the stage for a battle of wits. Meanwhile, Shyam develops an unexpected bond with her, drawn to her determination, while Baburao, oblivious to the tension, befriends Chhota Chetan over a shared love of vada pav.
As they delve deeper into the mansion’s secrets, the trio uncovers a web of deception. The diamonds, it turns out, are tied to a decades-old heist orchestrated by Desai’s father, a notorious smuggler whose legacy Desai is desperate to protect. But they’re not the only ones after the treasure.
A rival gang, led by the ruthless Kabeera (reprised by Gulshan Grover), the gangster from the first film, is hot on their trail, seeking revenge for the trio’s past interference. Kabeera’s return is a nod to the franchise’s roots, his menacing presence tempered by the absurdity of his henchmen, who bumble as much as our heroes.
Act Three: The Comedy of Errors
The heart of Hera Pheri 3 lies in its chaotic, laugh-out-loud set pieces, and the mansion heist is no exception. Armed with a half-baked plan and Baburao’s rusty toolkit, the trio sneaks into the mansion’s basement, where the treasure is supposedly hidden.
What follows is a masterclass in comedic timing: Raju’s overconfidence leads to a series of mishaps—tripping alarms, knocking over priceless artifacts, and accidentally locking Shyam in a broom closet.
Baburao’s attempts to “fix” the situation only make things worse, culminating in a scene where he mistakes a fire extinguisher for a smoke bomb, enveloping the room in a cloud of foam.
Just as they uncover the treasure—a glittering stash of diamonds hidden in a hollowed-out lion statue—the rival gang storms in, led by Kabeera. A frantic chase ensues, blending slapstick with suspense.
The mansion’s labyrinthine corridors become a playground for chaos, with the trio dodging bullets, tripping over furniture, and inadvertently outsmarting their pursuers.
Anjali, caught in the crossfire, reveals her true motive: she’s not just a journalist but an undercover agent working to bring Desai down. Her alliance with the trio is uneasy but necessary, as they realize they’re all pawns in a larger game.
The climax unfolds in a sprawling Mumbai dockyard, where Desai plans to smuggle the diamonds out of the country.
The trio, Anjali, and Chhota Chetan—now a reluctant ally—confront Desai and Kabeera in a showdown that’s equal parts hilarious and thrilling.
Raju’s quick thinking, Shyam’s brute strength, and Baburao’s sheer luck turn the tide, but not without a series of misunderstandings that threaten to derail their victory.
In a moment of pure Hera Pheri magic, Baburao mistakes a crate of fake diamonds for the real ones, leading to a frantic scramble as the truth unravels.
Act Four: The Heart of Hera Pheri
Beneath the laughter and chaos, Hera Pheri 3 weaves a thread of heart, a hallmark of the franchise. The trio’s bond, tested by greed and danger, emerges stronger than ever.
Raju, for all his scheming, grapples with his own moral compass, realizing that his pursuit of wealth has endangered his friends. Shyam’s loyalty to the group is unwavering, even as he dreams of a simpler life. Baburao, the soul of the trio, remains blissfully himself, his innocence a reminder of why they keep fighting.
Anjali’s arc adds depth, her initial distrust giving way to respect for the trio’s unorthodox heroism. Desai, revealed to be a man driven by loyalty to his father’s legacy, is not a villain in the traditional sense, adding shades of gray to the narrative.
The resolution, true to the franchise’s spirit, is less about the treasure and more about the journey. The diamonds, in a final twist, are revealed to be part of a larger sting operation, leaving the trio empty-handed but alive, their friendship intact.
Epilogue: The Legacy Continues
As the credits roll, the trio is back at Star Garage, bickering over a new scheme Raju has concocted—this time involving a “revolutionary” chai vending machine.
The camera pulls back, Mumbai’s skyline glowing under the night sky, as the iconic Hera Pheri theme plays. The film ends on a promise: as long as there’s greed, desperation, and a spark of madness, Raju, Shyam, and Baburao will return for another round of hera pheri.
Cinematic Craftsmanship
Directed by Priyadarshan, Hera Pheri 3 recaptures the magic of the original while embracing a grander canvas. The cinematography, with its vibrant palette and dynamic camera work, brings Mumbai to life as a character in itself.
The score, a blend of nostalgic motifs and modern beats, underscores the film’s blend of old-school charm and contemporary flair. The performances are the heart of the film: Akshay Kumar’s Raju is a whirlwind of charisma and cunning, Suniel Shetty’s Shyam grounds the chaos with quiet strength, and Paresh Rawal’s Baburao steals every scene with his impeccable comic timing.
Sanjay Dutt and Katrina Kaif add star power, while Jaaved Jaaferi and Gulshan Grover inject fresh energy into the ensemble.
The script, penned with input from the late Neeraj Vora’s notes, balances slapstick with sharp dialogue, ensuring every line lands with a laugh or a gasp.
The film’s pacing, while occasionally frenetic, keeps the audience on edge, blending genres with the finesse Priyadarshan is known for. Visual effects, used sparingly, enhance the heist sequences without overshadowing the human element.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Hera Pheri 3 is more than a sequel; it’s a love letter to the fans who have kept the franchise alive through memes, quotes, and endless rewatches. The film leans into its cult status, with callbacks to iconic lines like “Yeh Baburao ka style hai” and subtle nods to the first two films. It also reflects the changing landscape of Bollywood, addressing modern themes like economic disparity and the allure of quick riches, all while staying true to its comedic roots.
The film’s release in 2025, after years of delays and controversies, is a triumph of perseverance.
The return of the original trio—Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal—alongside Priyadarshan’s direction, ensures that Hera Pheri 3 lives up to its predecessors while carving its own path.
It’s a reminder that in the chaos of life, sometimes the greatest treasures are the bonds we forge and the laughter we share.
Hera Pheri 3 captures the essence of what makes the franchise timeless: a blend of heart, humor, and havoc. Raju, Shyam, and Baburao are not just characters; they’re archetypes of the everyman, chasing dreams in a world that’s always one step ahead.
As the lights dim and the audience roars with laughter, Hera Pheri 3 cements its place as a worthy successor to a legacy that began in 2000, proving that some stories, like the trio’s misadventures, never grow old.