Producer Firoz A Nadiadwala has sent a legal notice to Netflix and the creators of The Great Indian Kapil Show, claiming the Baburao character was used without permission. The notice demands Rs 25 crore, removal of the segment, and a formal apology.
Producer Firoz A Nadiadwala has issued a legal notice to Netflix and the creators of ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’, demanding Rs 25 crore. The notice alleges that the show used the iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, played by actor Paresh Rawal in the ‘Hera Pheri’ film series, without permission.
The controversy emerged just as the show prepared to air its final episode, which features Bollywood star Akshay Kumar as a guest.
The legal action follows a segment in which comedian Kiku Sharda impersonated Baburao, a character that has become legendary in Indian cinema. Nadiadwala, who owns the rights to the character, claims that this portrayal was carried out without his consent.
Nadiadwala strongly defended the uniqueness and legacy of Baburao, stating,
“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.”
He further emphasised the significance of Paresh Rawal’s contribution to the role:
“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 legal notice highlights multiple alleged violations, including copyright infringement under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and trademark infringement under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act.
It also refers to the infringement of exclusive rights under Section 14 of the Copyright Act, which covers the communication of a work to the public and its inclusion in films. Nadiadwala’s team stated that Baburao is a registered trademark owned by his family, reinforcing their legal claim over the character.
In addition to the monetary demand, the legal notice seeks the immediate removal of the segment from Netflix and all third-party platforms, including social media channels.
The notice also requests a written assurance that the character will not be used again without proper authorization and demands a formal apology within 24 hours.
Nadiadwala’s lawyer, Sana Raees Khan, stressed the seriousness of the situation, saying,
“The unauthorised use of my client’s iconic character is not just infringement; it is blatant theft for commercial gain.”
She added,
“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.”
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This legal notice has sparked significant discussion about copyright and trademark protection in India, especially concerning the use of iconic film characters in television and digital content.
The case highlights the importance of obtaining proper permissions before using popular characters, even for parody or entertainment purposes. Netflix and the show’s creators are expected to respond to the notice soon.
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