Actor Paresh Rawal, who plays the iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the Hera Pheri films, is stepping away from the upcoming third part of the franchise, the actor confirmed via social media on Sunday.

Earlier various reports had stated that he had exited the project due to creative differences but the actor refuted the claims.

“I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FILM MAKER . I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director,” he wrote on X.

The cast list of Hera Pheri 3 has seen various changes. Back in 2015, when murmurs of a possible third part were floating, Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham were being considered for the film. Later it was also announced that Akshay Kumar is stepping away from the franchise and Kartik Aaryan is going to be a part of it. Then director Priyadarshan made an official announcement stating that he is making the film with the original cast of Akshay, Paresh and Suniel Shetty.

Hera Pheri is a comedy franchise which started in 2000. The original film was directed by Priyadarshan. The film’s writer, the late Neeraj Vohra, took up directorial duties for the 2006 sequel Phir Hera Pheri.