“Yeh Baburao ka style hai!”
— Even today, this famous line makes everyone laugh out loud. But Hera Pheri was much more than just a comedy film. It was a revolutionary movie that completely changed Bollywood’s comedy landscape. Directed by Priyadarshan, Hera Pheri brought back clean, middle-class humour and gave us iconic characters like Baburao, Raju, and Shyam.
Why ‘Hera Pheri’ Was a Game-Changer in Bollywood Comedy
In the late 90s, Bollywood was flooded with low-quality, double-meaning, and vulgar humour. Most comedy movies relied on cheap jokes, making audiences long for the charm of clean, relatable humour like in classics such as Gol Maal (1979) and Chupke Chupke (1975).
Enter Hera Pheri in 2000. The movie didn’t just bring back wholesome, family-friendly comedy—it also introduced a new style of humour that Indian audiences had been missing. Priyadarshan, a well-known director, remade his Malayalam hit Ramji Rao Speaking for Bollywood, and Hera Pheri quickly became a blockbuster success.
The Iconic Trio That Made Hera Pheri a Classic
- Paresh Rawal (Baburao): Paresh Rawal’s performance as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte stole the show. With his hilarious Marathi-accented Hindi and perfect comic timing, Baburao became the heart and soul of the movie. Even today, his one-liners like “Yeh Baburao ka style hai” are still quoted everywhere.
- Akshay Kumar (Raju): Hera Pheri showed Akshay Kumar’s incredible talent for comedy. Before this film, he was primarily known for action roles, but Hera Pheri gave his career a massive boost and proved that he could make people laugh just as easily as he could perform stunts.
- Suniel Shetty (Shyam): Known for his tough guy roles, Suniel Shetty surprised everyone with his portrayal of the serious yet funny Shyam. His character perfectly balanced the comic chaos created by Akshay and Paresh’s characters.
What Made Hera Pheri a Huge Hit?
- Relatable Characters: Raju, Baburao, and Shyam represent the struggles of the common man—unemployment, financial problems, and the dream of a better life. Their desperation and attempts to solve their problems resonated with the audience, making their struggles both funny and relatable.
- Unique and Fresh Comedy: Priyadarshan’s signature slapstick humour was refreshing. The film’s physical comedy, smart dialogues, and hilarious situations gave Bollywood a new taste of comedy that was unlike anything else at the time.
- Memorable Comic Situations: Hera Pheri is packed with laugh-out-loud moments, from wrong phone calls to misunderstandings that escalate into chaos. These funny scenes are still remembered and enjoyed today.
- Unforgettable Dialogues: Some of the dialogues from Hera Pheri have become timeless. Lines like “Yeh Baburao ka style hai” and “Utha le re baba….utha le” continue to live on through memes, social media posts, and everyday conversations.
The Lasting Legacy of Hera Pheri
Hera Pheri didn’t just become a massive hit; it changed the future of Bollywood comedies. It set a new standard for clean, smart humour and made way for more relatable, middle-class comedy films. Priyadarshan’s brand of humour became hugely popular, and the film also paved the way for a successful sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006).
Akshay Kumar, in particular, became a staple in Bollywood comedies after Hera Pheri, and the film solidified his place as one of the top stars in the industry.
Akshay Kumar’s Career Transformation
Hera Pheri marked a turning point in Akshay Kumar’s career. Known mostly for his action roles, this film showed his versatility and comedic talent. Today, Akshay is one of Bollywood’s biggest action-comedy stars, and Hera Pheri played a huge role in shaping his journey to stardom.
Why Hera Pheri Is Still Relevant Today
Even though Hera Pheri was released in 2000, its impact hasn’t faded. In fact, with the rise of social media, Hera Pheri has achieved cult status. You’ll find countless memes, jokes, and references to the film across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. It’s amazing how a movie from over two decades ago still remains so fresh in our minds. And it’s not just the older generation that loves it—Gen Z is rediscovering the humour and embracing it like it’s brand new!
Final Thoughts: If You Haven’t Seen It, What Are You Waiting For?
If you haven’t watched Hera Pheri, you’re missing out on one of Bollywood’s finest comedies. And if you’ve already seen it, you know why Baburao’s “style” is still enough to get you laughing. Whether it’s the comic timing, the hilarious dialogues, or the unforgettable characters, Hera Pheri is a film that will always be remembered as a comedy masterpiece.
So why not sit back, relax, and enjoy this comedy classic? You’ll be laughing out loud from start to finish, guaranteed!
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