Things have taken a serious turn for Netflix and The Great Indian Kapil Show, after veteran producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala sent them a legal notice over the use of one of Bollywood’s most iconic characters — Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from the Hera Pheri franchise.
In a recent promo shared by Netflix, comedian Kiku Sharda was seen dressed up as Baburao during an episode featuring Akshay Kumar. While it was meant to be a light-hearted nod to the much-loved character, it hasn’t gone down well with the man who owns the rights to him.
Nadiadwala, who produced both Hera Pheri films, has now accused Netflix and the show’s makers of copyright and trademark infringement. According to News18, he has issued a ₹25 crore legal notice, demanding compensation and immediate removal of the segment.
“Baburao is not just a funny character — he’s the soul of Hera Pheri,” Nadiadwala said in an official statement. “This character was created with passion, nurtured by Paresh Rawal’s brilliant performance, and is now part of Bollywood history. No one has the right to exploit that for laughs without our permission.”
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The legal notice claims that ‘Baburao’ is a registered trademark owned by the Nadiadwala family. It also cites violations under India’s Copyright Act and Trademarks Act, highlighting that the character was used without any official clearance.
The notice doesn’t just stop at money — Nadiadwala’s team is asking Netflix to pull down all related content from the show, social media, and any other platforms. They’re also demanding a written apology within 24 hours and a clear assurance that the character won’t be used again without consent.
If the demands aren’t met, the notice warns that civil and criminal legal action will follow. The ₹25 crore in damages is expected to be paid within two days of receiving the notice.
As of now, Netflix hasn’t responded publicly — but fans of Hera Pheri and the Baburao legacy are watching closely to see what happens next.
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