The team behind the recently released Hindi film Mastiii 4 is facing a new controversy. Popular radio jockey and content creator Ashish Sharma has filed a complaint with the Delhi High Court, claiming that a scene in the movie closely resembles one of his popular Instagram skits without his permission.
Sharma argues that a particular sequence in Mastiii 4 is strikingly similar to his skit titled “Shaq Karne Ka Nateeja,” which he shared on Instagram back in January 2024. This skit gained immense popularity, amassing over 11 million views and boosting Sharma’s social media presence.
In his legal request, Sharma contends that the film’s makers not only copied the main idea but also imitated the storyline, character interactions, sequence of events, and the humorous punchline from his original work. He is seeking a permanent ban on the film, financial compensation, and transparency regarding the profits, as he claims his work has been used without his knowledge or credit.
Mastiii 4 was produced by Maruti International along with other production companies and was released in theaters on November 21, 2025. While it has completed its theatrical run, it is set to premiere on an OTT platform on January 16, 2026, which has influenced the court proceedings.
On January 6, 2026, the court, led by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, heard Sharma’s plea for immediate action. Noting the film’s upcoming digital release, the court issued a notice to the producers, allowing them to respond to the claims before making a decision. The judge remarked that swift action was necessary given the timeline of the film’s release.
Sharma, who has a large following on Instagram and YouTube, emphasized to the court that he is the sole creator of the skit in question. He argued that the alleged copying is a serious infringement of his creative rights, especially considering the increasing role of digital creators in shaping popular culture.
The case is set for another hearing on January 13, 2026. Meanwhile, all eyes are on how the makers of Mastiii 4 will address these allegations. With the growing intersection of social media content and mainstream films, this legal battle could ignite a wider discussion about creativity, originality, and acknowledgment in the film industry.
