New Delhi: Whenever we think of Indian comedy, Hera Pheri (2000) is one such comedy that runs through our minds, and the character played by Paresh Rawal of Babu Bhaiya is the iconic scene which can never be forgotten or missed from the movie. The actor played the role with perfection and finesse, making every jaw hurt and each scene worth laughing at throughout the movie.

Babu Bhai was initially crafted as a side character, but his charm quickly made him the star of the show. As buzz around Hera Pheri 3 builds, one thing is clear — the franchise simply isn’t complete without Paresh Rawal. While we all might miss the real deal of Babu Bhaiya without Paresh Rawal, one thing that will remain constant is the iconic outfit worn by him in the series of movies released earlier.

During the conversation with the costume designer behind the iconic role of Babu Rao, Rahul Agasti shared some fun and exciting things about Paresh Rawal and how this costume was brought to life with his ideation and Paresh’s energy.

Babu bhaiya’s iconic costume design in hera pheri

Rahul Agasti said during the conversation shared, “Working with Pareshji is very easy and simple, and he always gets together with the director and does not leave anything to chance. ”

Agasti went on explaining, “He was very categorical that the character is someone like landlords used to be in Delhi, Girgaon and Thane, who have a lot of property but they don’t look well-to-do. The character had to have a typical earthy flavour and some quirk, and according to the quirks, he wanted specific glasses’’ The sode bottle glasses? Agasti said, Not only the glasses but the ears of the glasses he went to that extent, that is how deep he goes into the character. He wanted that feel of those pagadiwalas in the earlier days of Mumbai.”

Upon asking if there was any reference given to the designer to which he can look and create the look, Rahul replied, “Pareshji gives a complete character sketch and then according to the character sketch, I suggested a few talk points but Paresh was adment that he wanted to have added a dhoti and a bundi with a pocket.’’

Who was the visionary behind Babu’s Bhaiya’s look?

Priyadarshan’s contribution was totally there, and Paresh, being in the industry,y understands how to play the character, and he had discussed with Priyadarshan. Only on the first day of the look test, Priyadarshan said that a little more ageing is needed for the character, as on the first Rahul had not done the ageing that Priyadarshan suggested for Baburao’s character.’

Rahul Agasti, during the interview, said that the second time we needed the character to look slightly richer, so the silk kurta, top, and to make it slapstick, the clown dress was there.’

Rahul Agasti has served his time in the industry and is no longer working for film but is in connect with Paresh Rawal, Nana Patekar and Rajeev Khandelwal. He, however, said he was not aware of the controversy around Paresh Rawal’s exit from the film.

(With inputs from Senior Entertainment Journalist, Bharti Dubey)