The Great Indian Kapil Show faces legal trouble after producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala issued a Rs 25 crore notice to Netflix and the makers, alleging unauthorized use of the iconic Hera Pheri character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte
Kiku Sharda, Kapil Sharma
The Great Indian Kapil Show, which will show its final episode on Saturday with Akshay Kumar as a guest, has come under legal investigation. Producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala has sent a Rs 25 crore warning to Netflix and the show's creators, alleging unlawful usage of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, a popular character from the Hera Pheri franchise.
The controversy developed after comedian Kiku Sharda performed an act on television while portraying Baburao, a role immortalised by Paresh Rawal. Nadiadwala, the character's rights holder, believes the representation was carried out without consent.
Firoz Nadiadwala's statement
In a statement, Nadiadwala mentioned, "Baburao is not just a character, but the soul of Hera Pheri. This legacy was built with our sweat, vision, and creativity, and no one can hijack or misuse it without our permission. Paresh Rawalji nurtured the role and put his heart and soul into it. No one has the right to misuse it for wrongful commercial gain. We will protect what we have created because culture is not for exploitation, it is for preservation."
The letter describes multiple alleged infractions, including copyright infringement under Section 51 of the Copyright Act of 1957 and trademark infringement under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act. Baburao, according to Nadiadwala's team, is a recognised brand held by the family. The case also alleges an infringement of exclusive rights under Section 14 of the Copyright Act, which governs the public communication of a work and its incorporation in films.
In the legal notification, Nadiadwala's team requests that Netflix and the show's production house remove the segment from their platform, social media, and any third-party channels. They have also requested a formal commitment that the character will not be utilised without permission in the future. The notice also asks for an apology within 24 hours.
Additionally, damages and compensation totalling Rs 25 crore have been sought within two days of receiving the notice. If the requests are not honoured, the producer has warned of civil and criminal action.
Sana Raees Khan's statement
Sana Raees Khan, representing Nadiadwala, emphasised the gravity of the situation. “The unauthorised use of my client’s iconic character is not just infringement; it is blatant theft for commercial gain. The law will not allow the dilution of rights that have been lawfully earned and zealously protected. These rights will be defended with the full force of legal action so that no one treats a creative legacy as a free commodity for exploitation," Khan stated.
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