Kapil Sharma show finale overshadowed by legal fight over iconic Phir Hera Pheri character

The Great Indian Kapil Show, which is gearing up for its finale this weekend with Akshay Kumar as guest, has found itself in legal trouble. Producer Firoz A Nadiadwala has issued a Rs 25 crore notice to Netflix and the makers of the comedy show, alleging unauthorised use of the Baburao character from the Hera Pheri films.

The dispute began after comedian Kiku Sharda performed a sketch imitating Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, a role made famous by Paresh Rawal. According to Nadiadwala, who owns the rights to the character, the act was staged without seeking permission.

“Baburao is not just a character, but the soul of Hera Pheri. This legacy was built with our vision and effort, and no one has the right to hijack it for wrongful gain. Paresh Rawal gave life to this role, and we will protect it as our creative heritage. Culture must be preserved, not exploited,” Nadiadwala said in a statement.

The legal notice highlights alleged violations under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and Section 29 of the Trademarks Act. Nadiadwala’s team maintains that Baburao is a registered trademark held by his family. It also points to Section 14 of the Copyright Act, which deals with exclusive rights over communication of a work to the public.

The notice demands removal of the comedy segment from Netflix, social media, and other channels, along with a written assurance that the character will not be used again without authorisation. It further seeks a public apology within 24 hours. Compensation of Rs 25 crore has also been demanded within two days of the notice, failing which Nadiadwala has warned of civil and criminal proceedings.

Advocate Sana Raees Khan, representing Nadiadwala, underlined the seriousness of the issue. “The unauthorised use of my client’s iconic character is not merely infringement but theft for commercial benefit. The law will not allow such dilution of rights. These rights will be defended through legal action so that no creative legacy is treated as a free commodity,” she said.

The development comes just as the show prepares to close its season, casting a shadow over its finale episode. Neither Netflix nor the show’s producers have issued an official response so far.