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Kapil Sharma’s Netflix show The Great Indian Kapil Show has landed in legal trouble over a spoof on Paresh Rawal’s Baburao character from Hera Pheri franchise.

The producer of Hera Pheri franchise, Firoz A Nadiadwala has sent a legal notice to Netflix seeking Rs 25 crore alleging copyright infringement.

Hera Pheri Producer Sends Rs 25 Crore Notice To Kapil Sharma’s Netflix Show

It all started when Kiku Sharda performed a sketch where he impersonated Baburao from the Hera Pheri franchise.

© Netflix

This move irked Firoz Nadiadwala who sued Netflix claiming he wasn’t asked permission before a character that he owns was portrayed on the show.

Sharing about his decision to sue Netflix, Firoz Nadiadwala stated in a statement, as per News18, “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.”

Advocate Sana Raees Khan who is representing Nadiadwala stated, “Intellectual Property is not a matter of casual borrowing, it is the lifeblood of creativity. Unauthorised exploitation of my client’s iconic character is not just infringement, it is theft in its most blatant commercial form. The law will not permit dilution of rights that have been lawfully earned and zealously protected.”

The notice features alleged violations, including copyright infringement under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and trademark infringement under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act.

© Base Industries Group

Additionally, Nadiadwala has demanded that Netflix remove the gag in question from their platform, YouTube and other channels. He also demands a written surety that the character won’t be used in future episodes and an apology within 24 hours of the legal notice.

Moreover, Rs 25 crore have been demanded for damages within two days of receiving notice. Failing to the same may result in civil and criminal proceedings.

For the unversed, Baburao character is a registered trademark owned by Nadiadwala’s family, as per the notice.

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