Firoz Nadiadwala : Not a Character, But a Soul, Netflix Hit with a Colossal ₹25 Crore Legal Notice for Using Hera Pheri’s Iconic Baburao

Firoz Nadiadwala : Just as it was gearing up for a star-studded grand finale with Bollywood’s Khiladi, Akshay Kumar, Netflix’s flagship comedy program, The Great Indian Kapil Show, has been blindsided by a massive legal tsunami. Acclaimed Bollywood producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala has officially served a ₹25 crore legal notice to the streaming giant and the show’s producers, alleging the blatant and unauthorized use of the legendary Baburao Ganpatrao Apte character from the timeless comedy franchise, Hera Pheri.

This high-stakes legal battle has cast a dark shadow over the show’s finale, transforming what was meant to be a celebration into a potential courtroom showdown.

The Heart of the Dispute: An Unforgivable Impersonation

The controversy exploded after promos for the show’s final episode featured comedian Kiku Sharda parodying the iconic Baburao character, complete with the signature glasses, dhoti, and mannerisms. The original character, immortalized by the brilliant Paresh Rawal, is considered by millions to be the heart and soul of the Hera Pheri films, which also starred Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty. The fact that the parody appeared in an episode featuring Akshay Kumar himself has only added a layer of irony and fuel to the fire.

In a powerfully worded official statement, a furious Firoz Nadiadwala declared the act an unforgivable breach of creative integrity. “Baburao is not just a character, but the soul of Hera Pheri,” he stated. “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. Culture is not for exploitation; it is for preservation.”

A Multi-Pronged Legal Attack

Nadiadwala’s legal team has come out swinging, accusing Netflix and the show’s makers of multiple infringements. The legal notice cites:

• Copyright Infringement: Under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, for using the character without permission.
• Trademark Infringement: Under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act, asserting that “Baburao” is a registered trademark exclusively owned by the Nadiadwala family.
• Violation of Exclusive Rights: Breaching Section 14 of the Copyright Act, which protects the owner’s exclusive right to communicate their work to the public.

Advocate Sana Raees Khan, representing Nadiadwala, did not mince words, calling the act “blatant theft.” She stated, “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. No one has the liberty to treat a creative legacy as a free-for-all.”

The Demands and the 48-Hour Ultimatum

The legal notice lays down a strict set of demands with a tight deadline. Nadiadwala’s team has demanded the following actions from Netflix:

1. Immediate Removal: All segments featuring the Baburao parody must be immediately pulled from Netflix, all social media platforms, and any third-party channels.
2. Written Guarantee: A formal written undertaking promising not to use the character in any form in the future without explicit permission.
3. Formal Apology: A public apology to be issued within 24 hours.
4. ₹25 Crore in Damages: A demand for ₹25 crore in damages and compensation, to be paid within just two days of receiving the notice.

The notice makes it clear that failure to comply will trigger immediate and aggressive civil and criminal legal proceedings against Netflix and all parties involved. As the clock ticks down on the show’s season finale, set to air on September 20, the entertainment world is watching with bated breath to see if this legal firestorm will derail one of the biggest comedy events of the year.

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