Bollywood star Suniel Shetty has said he is thrilled about Kartik Aaryan joining the "Hera Pheri" franchise and clarified that the actor has not replaced his co-star Akshay Kumar in the upcoming third part.
The popular comedy film series revolves around three men Raju (Kumar), Shyam (Shetty) and Babu Bhaiya (Paresh Rawal) who hatch silly plans to make a quick buck.
Last week at an event in Delhi, Kumar confirmed his exit from "Hera Pheri 3" citing creative differences. Prior to that, Rawal had said the upcoming movie would soon go on the floors with Aaryan taking over the role of Raju.
Amid Aaryan's entry in the third instalment of the movie, Shetty on Thursday said no one can replace Kumar as the streetsmart Raju.
"Kartik Aaryan is a brilliant choice, (but) he is not playing Raju. Kartik is an absolutely new character and he will bring amazing energy to the role that he would play.
"Nobody can replace Raju. Now, it is for Raju and Firoz (producer Nadiadwala) Bhai to sort out 'Hera Pheri' (the issue)," Shetty told PTI.
The first film, released in 2000, was directed by Priyadarshan. Its sequel "Phir Hera Pheri" (2006) saw the same cast reprising their iconic characters. Late actor-filmmaker Neeraj Vora helmed the second part.
The third part has been in the works for quite some time. Backed by Firoz Nadiadwala, "Hera Pheri 3" will be helmed by Anees Bazmee, according to reports.
According to Shetty, a hit film is defined by the popularity of its central characters, which, he said, happened in the case of "Hera Pheri".
"I feel a hit film is something whose characters are remembered, like Raju, Shyam, Babu bhaiya. The simplicity of 'Hera Pheri' has worked with the audience.
"I didn't know that the film would become a cult (classic) like this. But I knew it would be appreciated," the 61-year-old actor, who played the geeky Shyam in "Hera Pheri", further said.
For Shetty, Rawal's bumbling, irritable landlord is the "soul" of the franchise.
"Babu bhaiya is the soul of the film and he controls the two action heroes Raju and Shyam. I think the audience loved this. We didn't do acting in the film, we were just ourselves and that's why 'Hera Pheri' has always worked," he said.
"Clean comedies will always work like magic and will be loved by toddlers to older people. You would not feel like you want to fast forward and watch it," he added.
Shetty is awaiting the release of his debut web series "Dharavi Bank", which will arrive on MX Player on November 19. It is directed by Samit Kakkad.
(ANI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.