₹25 Crore Notice Hits Netflix and Kapil Sharma Show: What Went Wrong With the ‘Baburao’ Act?
₹25 Crore Notice Hits Netflix and Kapil Sharma Show: What Went Wrong With the 'Baburao' Act?
Producer accuses platform of copyright and trademark infringement ahead of finale with Akshay Kumar.
Just days before the grand finale of The Great Indian Kapil Show featuring Akshay Kumar, the comedy series has landed in legal trouble. Film producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala has served a ₹25 crore legal notice to Netflix and the show’s makers, accusing them of using the iconic Baburao Ganpatrao Apte character from Hera Pheri without authorisation.
“Baburao is not just a character, but the soul of Hera Pheri,” Nadiadwala said in a statement. “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.”
According to Nadiadwala’s team, Baburao is a registered trademark owned by the family. The notice alleges violations under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and Section 29 of the Trademarks Act, as well as Section 14 of the Copyright Act, which protects exclusive rights to publicly communicate and use works in films.
The controversy arose after a promo showed Kiku Sharda dressed as Baburao in an episode featuring Akshay Kumar. The character, originally played by Paresh Rawal, has become a cultural phenomenon since the release of the Hera Pheri films, which also starred Akshay and Suniel Shetty.
Nadiadwala’s legal team has demanded:
- Immediate removal of all related content from Netflix, social media, and third-party channels.
- A written undertaking not to use the character again without consent.
- A formal apology within 24 hours.
The notice seeks ₹25 crore in damages and compensation, to be paid within two days, failing which Nadiadwala has threatened civil and criminal action.
Advocate Sana Raees Khan, representing the producer, said: “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.”
The legal storm now looms over the finale episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show, set to premiere on 20 September with Akshay Kumar as the special guest.
