Producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala has sent Netflix a legal notice claiming Rs. 25 crore in damages for unauthorised use of the Baburao character from his Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri. Comedian Kiku Sharda impersonates the lovable character essayed by Paresh Rawal in the franchise films, in an episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show, to be aired today (20th September).
Besides Netflix, the notice has also been sent to BeingU Studios, the show’s production house. The notice demands that the OTT platform forthwith stop exhibiting and distributing the content, and provide a written undertaking that it would not be used again without permission. The notice asks for an apology within 24 hours and seeks Rs. 25 crore as damages and compensation within two days of receipt of notice. The legal notice alleges that Netflix’s unauthorised use for commercial gains amounts to copyright infringement under section 51 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and trademark infringement under section 29 the Trademarks Act.