The much-loved comedy franchise ‘Hera Pheri’ has hit a rough patch once again. After Paresh Rawal’s sudden exit from the upcoming ‘Hera Pheri 3’, fans are left confused and upset. While fans wait for news about what will happen next, many have started imagining Pankaj Tripathi as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, the character Paresh Rawal made famous.Pankaj Tripathi as Baburao?Paresh Rawal’s portrayal of Baburao, also fondly known as Babu Bhaiya, has become legendary over the years. His comic timing and quirky personality gave ‘Hera Pheri’ its heart. In the meantime, an AI-generated image of Pankaj Tripathi as Baburao Apte has gone viral, setting off a storm of opinions online.In the viral photo, Tripathi can be seen wearing Baburao’s signature white dhoti and vest, along with thick glasses, a gold chain and bracelet. The image tries to capture the spirit of the beloved character, sparking a flurry of reactions. The post was shared on Reddit with the caption, “Can Pankaj Tripathi play Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in Hera Pheri?” The responses came in fast, and they were very mixed.Check out the post hereFans react to Tripathi as BaburaoOne fan wrote, “Pankaj Tripathi could bring something valuable to the role, but he wouldn’t be a replacement, he’d be a reinvention. He’d probably make a good ‘Babu Bhaiya’ type character in a spin-off or reboot, but stepping into Paresh Rawal’s shoes directly would feel off. Audiences would constantly compare them, and the charm of the original might get lost. So respectfully, no.”Another compared the situation to Hollywood’s recasting of an iconic role, “It’s gonna be how it was for Robert Pattinson in Batman.”The opinions don’t stop there. Some are open to the idea of change, even if it’s difficult to digest.A loyal fan of the franchise wrote, “If Pankaj Tripathi is taken into the role and Paresh Rawal does not agree, then maybe they should give the movie a new flavour with a new name, role change or something. Pankaj Tripathi is a very good actor, and he can definitely reinvent the role as per his capabilities. Unfortunately, he cannot exactly copy Paresh’s role.”Others seemed more accepting, with one commenting, “He can pull it off.” Another added, “Not 100% but next best choice after Paresh Rawal.”What does Pankaj Tripathi think?While the internet debates the possibility, Pankaj Tripathi himself has spoken up. In an interview few days ago with Bollywood Hungama, he was asked how he feels about fans suggesting him for the part. “That is something I have also heard and read. I don’t believe in it. Paresh ji is an amazing actor. I am zero in front of him. I respect him a lot. I don’t think I am the right person for the role,” Tripathi humbly replied.What happens to ‘Hera Pheri 3’ now?The original trio, Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, made magic on screen, and fans have been eagerly waiting for their return. But with Rawal stepping away and no official replacement confirmed, the future of ‘Hera Pheri 3’ seems shaky. Will the makers find a way to bring the original team back? Or will the film go ahead with a fresh face playing Baburao?As it stands, fans are hoping for clarity soon. Whether it’s a reboot, a spin-off, or something completely new, one thing is clear, anyone stepping into Baburao’s slippers has big shoes to fill.