Explained: Netflix and The Kapil Sharma Show in legal trouble for using Baburao character from Hera Pheri

Kapil Sharma's Netflix show, The Great Indian Kapil Show, has landed in legal trouble after comedian Kiku Sharda, portrayed the iconic Baburao Ganpatrao Apte character from the Hera Pheri franchise without permission.

Producer Firoz A.Nadiadwala,

who owns the film series' rights, has sent a legal notice to the platform, demanding ₹ 25 crore in damages. The notice alleges that the show used the Baburao character, originally played by Paresh Rawal, without permission and calls for the immediate removal of the segment from all platforms.

The controversy centres around Kiku's portrayal of Baburao in the show's final episode, featuring Akshay Kumar. In the teaser for the episode, Akshay is seen interacting with the cast, which includes Kiku in the role of Baburao from Hera Pheri.

The notice alleges copyright infringement under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957 and trademark infringement under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act, 1999.

Advocate Sana Raees Khan, representing Nadiadwala, 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. No one has the liberty to treat a creative legacy as a free-for-all.”

The notice also demands a written undertaking from the show that they will not use the Baburao character again without permission. In addition to this, the platform has to submit a formal apology within 24 hours, with compensation to be paid within two days.

The warning points out that failure to comply will result in legal and criminal proceedings.

The legacy cannot be used for ‘wrongful commercial gain,’ Nadiadwala insisted, adding that Baburao is not just a character, but the soul of Hera Pheri.

"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," he added.