By Grace Cyril,News18

Copyright news18

The Great Indian Kapil Show, which is set to air its finale episode this Saturday with Akshay Kumar as guest, has come under legal scrutiny. Producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala has issued a Rs 25 crore notice to Netflix and the makers of the show, alleging unauthorised use of Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, the popular character from the Hera Pheri franchise.
The controversy erupted after comedian Kiku Sharda performed an act on the show while impersonating Baburao, a role immortalised by Paresh Rawal. Nadiadwala, who owns the rights to the character, claims the portrayal was carried out without permission.
“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,” Nadiadwala said in a statement.
The notice outlines several alleged violations, including copyright infringement under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and trademark infringement under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act. Baburao, according to Nadiadwala’s team, is a registered trademark owned by his family. The complaint also cites infringement of exclusive rights under Section 14 of the Copyright Act, which covers communication of a work to the public and its inclusion in films.
In the legal notice, Nadiadwala’s team has demanded that Netflix and the show’s production house remove the segment from their platform, social media, and any third-party channels. They have further asked for a written undertaking ensuring the character will not be used in the future without authorisation. The notice also seeks an apology within 24 hours.
Additionally, damages and compensation amounting to Rs 25 crore have been demanded within two days of receiving the notice. If the demands are not met, the producer has warned of civil and criminal proceedings.
Sana Raees Khan, representing Nadiadwala, reinforced the seriousness of the matter. “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 said.