Legal Notice Details
Nadiadwala, who produced both Hera Pheri (2000) and Phir Hera Pheri (2006), has accused Netflix and the show's creators of multiple legal violations. The legal notice cites copyright infringement under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, trademark infringement under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act, and violations of Section 14 of the Copyright Act which protects exclusive rights to publicly communicate and use works in films.
According to Nadiadwala's legal team, Baburao is a registered trademark owned by the Nadiadwala family. The controversy erupted after Kiku Sharda performed an act mimicking the character originally portrayed by Paresh Rawal, delivering the iconic dialogue "Ye Baburao ka style hai" from Hera Pheri.
Producer's Statement
In his official statement, Nadiadwala expressed strong sentiments about protecting his intellectual property: "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".
Advocate Sana Raees Khan, representing Nadiadwala, emphasized the severity of the alleged infringement: "Intellectual Property is not a matter of casual borrowing, it is the lifeblood of creativity. The unauthorized use of my client's iconic character is not just infringement, it is theft in its most blatant commercial form".
Legal Demands
The comprehensive legal notice outlines several strict demands that must be met within specified timeframes:
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Immediate removal of all segments featuring the Baburao character from Netflix, social media platforms, and third-party outlets
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Written assurance that the character will not be used in future episodes without proper permission
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Formal public apology within 24 hours of receiving the notice
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Payment of ₹25 crore in damages and compensation within two days
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Warning of civil and criminal proceedings if demands are not met
Show Context and Timing
The legal controversy has overshadowed what was meant to be a celebratory conclusion to The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3. The finale episode featuring Akshay Kumar as the guest was scheduled to air on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Kumar appeared on the show to promote his upcoming film Jolly LLB 3, which coincidentally also stars him alongside the original Hera Pheri cast.
The timing of the controversy is particularly significant as Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty are set to reunite for Hera Pheri 3, directed by Priyadarshan, reprising their beloved characters of Raju, Baburao, and Shyam respectively.
Industry Impact and Precedent
This legal action highlights growing concerns about intellectual property protection in India's entertainment industry. The case represents a broader trend of content creators and producers taking stronger stances against unauthorized use of their creative properties.
Similar cases have emerged recently, with celebrities like Abhishek Bachchan moving Delhi Court over personality rights protection, demanding bans on unauthorized use of images, names, voices, and performances.
Current Status
Despite the legal notice, Netflix has not yet issued an official response to the allegations. The streaming platform may need to edit or remove the disputed segments if the situation escalates legally. The finale episode's broadcast status remains uncertain as the 24-hour deadline for an apology and the two-day deadline for compensation payment approach.
The controversy has sparked discussions about the boundaries between parody, mimicry, and intellectual property infringement in Indian comedy shows, potentially setting important precedents for future content creation in the digital streaming era.
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