In a surprising yet entertaining twist on nostalgia, an AI-generated image of acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi as Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from the iconic Hera Pheri franchise has taken social media by storm. The image, which blends Tripathi’s features with the unmistakable style of Paresh Rawal’s legendary character, quickly went viral — sparking laughter, admiration, and a wave of fan reactions across platforms.
The viral image, created using AI-based deep-learning tools, reimagines the beloved character in Pankaj Tripathi’s likeness — complete with thick glasses, white kurta-lungi, and the classic confused-yet-comic expression that defined Baburao. The result? A near-perfect fusion that left netizens stunned.
Fan Frenzy on Social Media
Within hours of being shared, the image became a trending topic. Fans flooded X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Reddit with reactions ranging from humorous takes to heartfelt nostalgia.
“This is the multiverse we never knew we needed! Pankaj Tripathi as Baburao looks so real,” one user tweeted.
“If there’s ever a reboot, we have the perfect casting. No one better than Tripathi ji to carry Baburao’s madness forward,” posted another.
Meme pages were quick to capitalize on the hype, adding hilarious captions and recreating dialogues like “Utha le re baba… mereko nahi re in dono ko utha le” in Tripathi’s trademark rustic style.
Debate Over Reboot Casting
The viral image has also reignited discussions around the long-awaited Hera Pheri 3. While Paresh Rawal remains irreplaceable in the original trio alongside Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty, some fans are open to the idea of a fresh take — especially if a parallel universe or spin-off were to be considered.
However, others remained loyal to the original, with one fan writing:
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“Paresh Rawal is Baburao. No AI, no actor can replace that. But this is still a fun ‘what-if’ scenario!”
Pankaj Tripathi’s Comic Timing Appreciated
While Tripathi is known for his intense roles in Mirzapur, Gangs of Wasseypur, and Kaagaz, he has also showcased his flair for comedy in films like Stree and Fukrey Returns. This balance between gravitas and humor has made many fans believe he could genuinely pull off Baburao’s eccentricity if ever needed.
Final Thoughts
The AI-generated image may be nothing more than digital artistry, but it has certainly sparked joy, debate, and a wave of imagination in Bollywood circles. Whether or not we see Pankaj Tripathi donning Baburao’s lunghi on-screen, one thing is certain — technology and fandom have once again collided in the most entertaining way possible.
As one fan aptly summed it up:
“AI ne toh kamaal kar diya… Tripathi ji ko dekh ke Baburao yaad aa gaya. Ab bas Hera Pheri 3 ka intezaar hai!”