The comedy world has been shaken by a legal storm. The third season of The Great Indian Kapil Show is all set to air its finale episode on Saturday with Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar as the guest. However, the celebrations have been overshadowed by a serious controversy involving comedian
Kiku Sharda’s act.
As per reports, producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who owns the blockbuster Hera Pheri franchise, has issued a Rs 25 crore legal notice to the OTT platform and the makers of the show. The notice claims that Kiku Sharda’s act, where he mimicked the iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte, played by
Paresh Rawal, was performed without permission, violating copyright and character rights.
Nadiadwala’s notice demands an immediate public apology, removal of the controversial skit, and compensation for damages within two days. According to News18, the producer said in a statement, “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.”
The legal notice highlights multiple violations, including copyright infringement under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and trademark infringement under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act. It also points to the infringement of exclusive rights under Section 14 of the Copyright Act, which governs the communication of a work to the public and its inclusion in films.
With the season finale just around the corner, this controversy has cast a shadow over the show, leaving fans and industry insiders eagerly waiting to see how the makers respond to this high-profile legal battle.