Paresh Rawal's ‘Hera Pheri 3’ exit: Publicity stunt or real drama?

In an industry where drama is currency and attention are everything, Bollywood’s off-screen theatrics often rival what’s playing at the cinema. The latest in a long list of eyebrow-raising moments? Paresh Rawal’s dramatic exit and swift return to ‘Hera Pheri 3’. The iconic actor’s apparent fallout from the production, followed by emotional fan reactions and legal chatter, had everyone hooked.

But now that he is back in the film, many netizens are wondering if this was a publicity stunt.

Every time Bollywood stunned us with their weird PR stunts

Over the years, PR teams have gone from playing it safe with interviews and trailers to pulling off full-fledged theatrical campaigns to grab headlines.

When Vidya Balan fooled everyone in Hyderabad

Vidya Balan, known for her transformative roles, decided to embody her detective character from ‘Bobby Jasoos’ by dressing in disguise and begging outside the Hyderabad railway station. Her performance was so convincing that a passerby handed her money and even scolded her for not working. The stunt went viral, sparking laughter, admiration, and conversations about the film. It was bizarre, unexpected, and undeniably effective.

The bizarre ‘Kismat Love Paisa Dilli’ stunt

Then there was the case of ‘Kismat Love Paisa Dilli’. The film may not have made waves at the box office, but its promotion did. Vivek Oberoi and Mallika Sherawat walked into a Mumbai mall sharing one oversized red T-shirt with the word “Screwed” printed on it. It was cheeky, suggestive, and borderline desperate, but it made news. People talked more about the T-shirt than the actual movie, proving once again that in Bollywood, subtlety is optional.

Why do makers go to such lengths for promotions?

So why do stars and studios resort to such antics? In today’s crowded digital landscape, attention is the ultimate commodity. With dozens of releases vying for audience interest each month, the pressure to stand out is real. A viral stunt doesn’t just save on marketing costs; it creates organic buzz. Media outlets pick it up, memes are made, reels are posted, and suddenly, a mid-tier film is trending.

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But there is also a negative side to it. While outrageous publicity moves can make a splash, they also raise questions about authenticity. Are these stunts clever or manipulative? Well, it’s up to the audience to decide.