In the vast landscape of Bollywood classics, few films have attained the revered status that Hera Pheri and Welcome enjoy. These iconic comedies, deeply embedded in the hearts of millennials, continue to be a wellspring of laughter and nostalgia.
Presently, the much-anticipated sequels, Hera Pheri 3 and Welcome 3, are in progress, poised to rekindle the magic.
In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Paresh Rawal, renowned for his legendary portrayal of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in the Hera Pheri franchise and Dr. Ghungroo in the Welcome movies, shared some thrilling insights into both sequels.
Hera Pheri 3 is slated to hit screens in late 2024, with filming scheduled to kick off next year. Welcome 3’s shoot will kick off by the end of this year, with a probable release in May-June. Both are colossal cinematic ventures,” he revealed.
For fans eagerly anticipating the return of the iconic trio – Baburao, Raju, and Shyam – this revelation is nothing short of a comedic jackpot.
This announcement brings joy to fans of both franchises, considering the tumultuous journey these sequels have experienced in the past year.
Last year, rumors circulated that Kartik Aaryan would replace Akshay Kumar in Hera Pheri 3. However, the mere contemplation of disrupting the iconic trio sparked a fan-led social media campaign with a resounding message – “No Akshay, no Hera Pheri.” The influence of the fanbase prevailed, and Akshay Kumar returned to ensure the essence of Hera Pheri remained intact.
Welcome 3, however, did not witness a similar happy resolution. The iconic duo of Uday Shetty and Majnu Bhai, portrayed by Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor, will no longer grace the film. Instead, Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi have been enlisted to play new characters in the sequel, ushering in a fresh dynamic to replace the bromance between Uday and Majnu Bhai.
A few months ago, Welcome 3, officially titled “Welcome to the Jungle,” unveiled a promotional video featuring its extensive cast singing acapella.
As someone who has been a fervent fan of both franchises, I am eager to witness how the new generation responds to these sequels.