New Delhi: Producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala has dragged Netflix and The Great Indian Kapil Show into legal trouble just ahead of the show’s highly anticipated finale featuring Akshay Kumar. The matter? The alleged unauthorised use of the iconic Baburao Ganpatrao Apte character originally played by Paresh Rawal in the Hera Pheri movies is now portrayed humorously by Kiku Sharda on Kapil’s show.
Nadiadwala’s legal team has fired a Rs 25 crore notice against Netflix and the show’s producers, accusing them of copyright infringement under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, as well as trademark infringement under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act. According to the complaint, Baburao is a registered trademark of the Nadiadwala family, and exclusive rights rest with them as per Section 14 of the Copyright Act. The promo for the show’s finale episode features Akshay Kumar and the cast, with Kiku Sharda dressed as Baburao, which triggered the complaint.
Nadiadwala demands that all segments involving Baburao be removed immediately from Netflix, social media, and third-party channels. He wants a written agreement ensuring the character will not be reused in the future, and a formal apology within 24 hours. The producer is seeking Rs 25 crore in damages, payable within two days of notice receipt. If not, he threatens civil and criminal proceedings.
“Baburao is not just a character, but the soul of Hera Pheri. This legacy was built with our sweat, vision, and creativity. Paresh Rawal ji nurtured the role with his heart and soul. No one has the right to misuse it for commercial gain. Culture is not for exploitation; it is for preservation,” said Nadiadwala in an official statement.
Advocate Sana Raees Khan added, “The unauthorised use of my client’s iconic character is not just infringement. It is blatant theft for commercial gain. These rights have been lawfully earned and zealously protected, and will now be defended with full legal force. No one has the liberty to treat a creative legacy as a free-for-all”.
With Akshay Kumar slated as the finale guest, legal controversy now threatens to overshadow the season’s close.