Babu Rao copyright dispute has landed The Kapil Sharma Show in legal trouble. The makers of the iconic Bollywood comedy Hera Pheri have taken serious action against the show for using the famous character without permission. Film producer Firoz Nadiadwala has sent a legal notice worth ₹25 crore to the comedy series.
According to reports, comedian Kiku Sharda performed as the legendary character Babu Rao Ganpatrao Apte in The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix. The act triggered objections from Nadiadwala, who claimed it was a clear violation of copyright and trademark laws. The producer also sent the notice to Netflix, holding the platform responsible for streaming the act.
The issue gained attention because the final episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show is set to air this week with Bollywood star Akshay Kumar as the guest. Nadiadwala argued that Babu Rao is not just a funny character but the heart of the Hera Pheri franchise. He said it was created with creativity, effort, and vision, and no one can misuse it for commercial gain without his consent.
Actor Paresh Rawal, who made the role unforgettable on screen, is respected for bringing life to Babu Rao. Nadiadwala stressed that the rights to the character belong to the creators and not to performers outside the films. He further added that culture should be preserved, not exploited.
The Babu Rao copyright dispute shows how intellectual property rights in cinema are becoming more important in today’s entertainment industry. The case could set a precedent for how film characters are protected in the future.
