The Hera Pheri film series is now at the center of a legal dispute. Producer Firoz Nadiadwala has taken action against Netflix, claiming the streaming service has used the cherished character Baburao Ganpatrao Apte—played by Paresh Rawal—without permission.
Advocate Sana Raees Khan, representing Nadiadwala, emphasized the seriousness of the alleged infringement, stating, “Intellectual property is an essential part of creativity. Unauthorized use of my client’s iconic character isn’t just infringement; it’s a clear case of theft. The law protects his rights fiercely.”
While Nadiadwala has not yet made a public statement, this legal move indicates his commitment to protecting the beloved heritage of this comedy series. Paresh Rawal’s portrayal of Baburao in Hera Pheri (2000), directed by Priyadarshan, and its sequel, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), has made the character a classic figure in Indian cinema. Alongside Akshay Kumar as Raju and Suniel Shetty as Shyam, the trio turned the films into major hits.
The same cast is expected to return for Hera Pheri 3, with Priyadarshan directing once more. Nadiadwala’s legal action highlights concerns about maintaining the value of characters that are significant to Indian culture.
This case also reflects a broader trend in Bollywood regarding intellectual property rights. Earlier this year, actor Abhishek Bachchan approached the Delhi High Court to prevent unauthorized use of his name, image, and performances. During the hearing, Justice Tejas Karia noted that search engines could be asked to remove infringing content if valid links were provided.
Such incidents show a growing recognition in the entertainment sector about the need to protect creative and personal rights in this rapidly changing digital age.
