Producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala ne Netflix aur The Great Indian Kapil Show ke creators ke khilaf ek legal notice jari kiya hai, jisme Rs 25 crore ka claim rakha gaya hai. Case ka main point ye hai ki show ne Paresh Rawal Ji ke iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte (Hera Pheri franchise se) ko bina permission use kiya. Ye legal action tab saamne aaya hai jab show apna final episode air karne wala tha, jisme Bollywood star Akshay Kumar special guest the.
Producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala has issued a legal notice against Netflix and the creators of The Great Indian Kapil Show, claiming Rs 25 crore. The main point of the case is that the show used Paresh Rawal’s iconic character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte (from the Hera Pheri franchise) without permission. This legal action has come up when the show was about to air its final episode, in which Bollywood star Akshay Kumar was the special guest.
Reason for controversy
Controversy erupted when comedian Kiku Sharda impersonated Baburao, who became famous after Paresh Rawal’s original portrayal. Nadiadwala’s team claims the portrayal was unauthorized and violated the character’s rights.
Nadiadwala said in a statement, “Baburao is not just a character, it is the soul of Hera Pheri. We have built this legacy through our hard work, vision, and creativity. No one can hijack or misuse it for commercial gain.”
He further added, “Paresh Rawal nurtured this role and put his heart and soul into it. No one has the right to misuse it. We will protect what we have created, because culture is meant for preservation, not exploitation.”
Legal Grounds and Allegations
The legal notice outlines several key allegations:
- Copyright Infringement – Under Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, the show allegedly used the Baburao character without authorization.
- Trademark Infringement – Under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act, the character was used without permission.
- Infringement of Exclusive Rights – Under Section 14 of the Copyright Act, which covers the communication of a work to the public and its inclusion in films.
According to Nadiadwala’s team, Baburao is a registered trademark owned by his family, and they hold full ownership of the character.
Demands in the Legal Notice
The notice also specifies several demands:
- Immediate removal of the segment from Netflix, as well as all third-party channels and social media platforms.
- A written assurance that the Baburao character will not be used in the future without authorization.
- A public apology within 24 hours.
Lawyer’s Statement
Nadiadwala’s lawyer, Sana Raees Khan, emphasized the seriousness of the matter: “The unauthorized use of my client’s iconic character is not just infringement; it is blatant theft for commercial gain.”
Khan added, “The law will not allow the dilution of rights that have been lawfully earned and zealously protected. These rights will be defended with full legal action so that no one treats a creative legacy as a free commodity for exploitation.”
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Entertainment Industry Reaction
This legal action serves as a warning to the entertainment industry, where misuse of intellectual property and iconic characters has become increasingly common. Baburao is not just a fictional role; it represents the identity of the Hera Pheri franchise, and its misuse poses a legal risk for content creators and producers.
Social media reactions have been mixed. Some fans continue to support the comedy show, while others acknowledge that copyright and trademark rules must be followed.
Nadiadwala’s Standpoint
Firoz A. Nadiadwala insists that all legal rights for the Baburao character have been secured, and the character’s popularity stems from the combined efforts of him and Paresh Rawal.
His main concern is that the unauthorized use of creative property sends the wrong message to the entertainment industry and undermines the value of intellectual property.
Conclusion
The case may now proceed to court, potentially affecting the release of the show’s final episode and its online presence. This incident is a reminder to the entertainment industry that unauthorized use of iconic characters can carry serious legal consequences.
Nadiadwala’s legal team has made it clear that any use of the Baburao character without permission will not be tolerated, and they are prepared to take full legal action to protect their rights.
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