Just days before the season finale of The Great Indian Kapil Show featuring Akshay Kumar, the show has landed in legal trouble. Firoz A. Nadiadwala, producer of the Hera Pheri franchise, has issued a ₹25 crore legal notice to Netflix and the show’s creators for the alleged unauthorized use of the iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, originally portrayed by Paresh Rawal.
In a recent episode, comedian Kiku Sharda impersonated Baburao in a sketch—a move that didn’t sit well with Nadiadwala, who claims exclusive rights to the character. Calling Baburao “the soul of Hera Pheri,” Nadiadwala accused the show’s makers of copyright and trademark infringement.
“This legacy was built with our creativity and hard work,” Nadiadwala said in a statement. “Paresh Rawalji poured his heart into this role. It cannot be misused for commercial gain without permission.”
The legal notice claims Baburao is a registered trademark owned by the Nadiadwala family. It cites violations under Section 51 and Section 14 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and Section 29 of the Trademarks Act, which deal with unauthorized public use, digital adaptation, and brand exploitation.
Demands include immediate removal of the skit from all platforms—Netflix, social media, and elsewhere—along with a public apology and a written assurance that the character will not be used again without prior approval.
Nadiadwala’s lawyer, Sana Raees Khan, stressed, “This is not just infringement—it’s theft for profit. We will pursue full legal action if the demands are ignored.”
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If unresolved within two days, the legal team threatens both civil and criminal proceedings. With the finale episode already drawing attention, Netflix’s next move remains highly anticipated.
