Pankaj Tripathi's 'Babu Rao' AI image sparks controversy amid Paresh Rawal's exit

Pankaj Tripathi’s viral AI image as the iconic character Babu Rao has set the internet ablaze amid Paresh Rawal’s sudden exit from the Hera Pheri franchise.

The AI-generated image, which surfaced on social media, has garnered largely negative reactions from fans of Babu Rao, originally portrayed by Rawal.

In the viral picture, the Mirzapur actor is seen wearing Babu Rao’s iconic thick-rimmed spectacles, a dhoti and vest, along with a gold chain and bracelet – offering a glimpse of how Tripathi might look in the iconic role.

The image was captioned, “Can Pankaj Tripathi play Baburao Ganpatrao Apte in Hera Pheri?”

Fans couldn’t resist and quicly flooded the internet with critical responses.

One fan commented, “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 added, “It’s gonna be how it was for Robert Pattinson in Batman.”

A third penned, “Both are good actors. But this role can be done by one and only Paresh Rawal.”

This comes on the heels of the OMG 2 star praising Rawal for his performances and admitting that he doesn’t consider himself worthy of playing the iconic Babu Rao.

Speaking exclusively with Bollywood Hungama, Tripathi said, ““That is something I have also heard and read, but 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.”

For the unversed, Rawal, 69, has officially stepped down from Hera Pheri 3, sparking widespread concern and disappointment among fans.