The Great Indian Kapil Show faces Rs 25 crore legal notice over Hera Pheri's Baburao impersonation in Akshay Kumar episode
Netflix's The Great Indian Kapil Show faces a Rs 25 crore legal notice from Firoz Nadiadwala over unauthorised use of Baburao's character ahead of its finale with Akshay Kumar.
Last Updated: 09.50 AM, Sep 20, 2025
Netflix's The Great Indian Kapil Show is in the midst of a legal battle, with Akshay Kumar set to appear in its final episode. The show's makers and streaming service Netflix are facing a Rs 25 crore fine from producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala, who claims that the show's producers misappropriated the likeness of the iconic Hera Pheri character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte without authorisation.
Controversy sparks over Baburao Ganpatrao Apte character
The controversy started when comedian-actor Kiku Sharda imitated Paresh Rawal's iconic Baburao character in a sketch. According to Nadiadwala, the character's owner, this depiction was not permitted.
Nadiadwala 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."
Copyright and trademark laws cited in the notice
The notification highlights various purported infractions. Section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957 and Section 29 of the Trademarks Act both address copyright infringement. The members of Nadiadwala's team have confirmed that his family owns the registered trademark Baburao. The complaint further mentions Section 14 of the Copyright Act, which safeguards the public dissemination of a work and its incorporation into films.
Nadiadwala's team has requested the immediate removal of the Baburao segment from Netflix, social media, and any related outlets, according to the notice. The notice also requires a signed promise to refrain from future unauthorised usage of the character. The producer also wants an apology the next day.
Rs 25 crore compensation threatened for non-compliance
Within two days of receiving the notice, payment of Rs 25 crore is required as damages and compensation. Civil and criminal processes may ensue if you do not cooperate, according to Nadiadwala's warning.
On behalf of Nadiadwala, Sana Raees Khan stressed how serious the matter was. She said, "The unauthorised use of my client’s iconic character is not just infringement; it is blatant theft for commercial gain. The law will not allow the dilution of rights that have been lawfully earned and zealously protected. These rights will be defended with the full force of legal action so that no one treats a creative legacy as a free commodity for exploitation."
Season finale set to stream
Amidst the current climate surrounding the contentious Baburao act, the series finale of The Great Indian Kapil Show is scheduled to stream today, that is, September 20, 2025, on Netflix.
FAQs:
Q: Who is Baburao Ganpatrao Apte?
A: Baburao Ganpatrao Apte is a popular character from the Hera Pheri film franchise, originally played by Paresh Rawal.
Q: What triggered the controversy on The Great Indian Kapil Show?
A: The controversy arose after comedian Kiku Sharda performed an act impersonating Baburao, which Nadiadwala claims was done without authorisation from the rights holders.
Q: Why did Firoz A. Nadiadwala send a legal notice to Netflix and Kapil Show makers?
A: Firoz A. Nadiadwala sent a Rs 25 crore legal notice alleging that Netflix and the makers of The Great Indian Kapil Show used the character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from Hera Pheri without permission.