Paresh Rawal, a titan of Indian cinema known for his versatile performances, recently opened up about a career dilemma few would have anticipated: feeling trapped by one of his most beloved roles. In a candid conversation with The Lallantop, Rawal spoke about how his iconic portrayal of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the cult classic Hera Pheri became both a blessing and a burden.
The 2000 film Hera Pheri, directed by Priyadarshan, catapulted Paresh Rawal to new heights of popularity. His character, Baburao — with his peculiar accent, comical innocence, and hilarious misadventures — became a household name. Even today, nearly 25 years later, Baburao memes and dialogues continue to flood social media. However, behind the laughter, Rawal felt increasingly pigeonholed into similar comic roles, leading to a sense of professional suffocation.
"Woh Gale Ka Fanda Hai" — Paresh Rawal On His Struggle
Speaking about the impact of Hera Pheri, Rawal said, "Woh gale ka fanda hain." Reflecting back to 2007, shortly after the release of Phir Hera Pheri in 2006, Rawal approached filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj with a unique request. “Main 2007 mein Vishal Bharadwaj ji ke paas gaya tha. Ki mere paas ek film he, mujhe iski jo ek image hain na usse chhutkara chahiye,” Rawal recounted.
He emphasized that while he appreciated the adulation that came with the Baburao persona, it also restricted his artistic range. "Main actor hu yaar, mujhe phasna nahi he iss daldal main," he said passionately, describing how every role offered to him somehow revolved around the same comedic archetype.
Rawal’s yearning was clear — he wanted a role that retained the familiarity of his now-famous getup but gave him the opportunity to explore a different character shade. In other words, he wanted to leverage his popularity without being trapped by it.
A Journey Toward Reinvention
Rawal's effort to reinvent himself didn’t stop with Vishal Bharadwaj. In 2022, he sought out celebrated filmmaker R Balki. Sharing details of that meeting, Rawal said, "Phir main gaya 2022 me R Balki ke paas. I said kuch karke do na isko tod ke do."
The veteran actor expressed his frustration candidly: “Mujhe dum ghutta hain.” Even though he acknowledged the joy and love he received because of Hera Pheri, the feeling of being constantly boxed into one kind of role led him to seek "mukti" — liberation. "Khushi toh hoti hein yaar but ye bahoot hi bandhne waali cheez hain," he remarked, highlighting the paradox of being celebrated yet constrained.
It is rare for actors to speak so openly about the downside of iconic success. Rawal’s comments offer a glimpse into the internal struggles many actors face when a single role defines their entire career in the public's eye.
The Return of Hera Pheri — A Double-Edged Sword?
Adding another layer to this complex relationship is the fact that Paresh Rawal is set to reprise his role as Baburao in the much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3. In January this year, it was announced that original director Priyadarshan would return to helm the third installment, bringing back the legendary trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal.
While fans erupted with excitement over the news, one cannot ignore the irony that Rawal himself seems to have a love-hate relationship with the character. Baburao remains close to his heart, but the actor in him yearns to stretch beyond the familiar.
The challenge now lies in how Hera Pheri 3 will be crafted. Will Priyadarshan and his team find a way to add new dimensions to Baburao? Or will it be a repetition of the same antics that, while loved, also limit the actors involved?
Paresh Rawal’s Legacy: More Than Just Baburao
It’s important to remember that Paresh Rawal’s illustrious career is not defined by Hera Pheri alone. From intense dramatic performances in films like Sardar (where he portrayed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel) to villainous roles in Tamanna, Oh My God!, and Singham, Rawal has consistently proven his mettle as one of India's most versatile actors.
In fact, his ability to seamlessly switch between genres — from gut-wrenching drama to laugh-out-loud comedy — is what made his typecasting all the more unfortunate. Many fans and critics believe that Bollywood’s tendency to slot actors into one category after a major hit is a serious creative flaw, something Rawal’s situation exemplifies perfectly.
Despite these challenges, Rawal continues to remain relevant and respected, taking up diverse roles in films like Dear Father and OTT releases, ensuring that he doesn't remain permanently locked into the Baburao mold.
The Price of Iconic Success
Paresh Rawal’s emotional confession sheds light on a crucial reality of showbiz: that success, while sweet, often comes with its own shackles. For an actor, the worst fate is to be seen as capable of only one kind of role. In Rawal’s case, the very performance that won him millions of fans also ended up stifling his artistic freedom.
Yet, there’s hope. With new-age directors open to experimentation and platforms like OTT giving space to nuanced storytelling, actors like Rawal have more opportunities today to break free from their typecast images.
As audiences, perhaps it’s time we too widen our lens and allow our favorite stars the freedom to surprise us. If Paresh Rawal’s journey teaches us anything, it is that behind every beloved character lies an artist who still has many more stories left to tell.