The Great Indian Kapil Show is once again in the news, but this time not for laughs. Its finale, which was supposed to feature Akshay Kumar, landed in controversy after Kiku Sharda performed a skit as Baburao Apte from Hera Pheri. Producer Firoz Nadiadwala has slapped a Rs 25 crore legal notice on Netflix and the makers, calling the act copyright infringement and misuse of an iconic character originally played by Paresh Rawal. He demanded removal of the segment, a written undertaking, a public apology, and compensation, warning of legal action otherwise.
The irony here is hard to miss. The show itself is not particularly sharp in its humor, often relying on Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda, and Krushna Abhishek to keep things fun through their comic personas. Without such character-driven acts, it risks becoming dull and repetitive. Baburao was performed as a tribute, not an insult, and audiences largely saw it as harmless comedy. Coming down with such a heavy hand seems unnecessary, especially from the producer of Hera Pheri, a film celebrated as one of India’s greatest comedies.
What made the original Hera Pheri so loved was its ability to laugh at life’s absurdities without overthinking. By turning a comic tribute into a courtroom battle, the makers risk stripping away the spirit of fun that Baburao himself embodied. If the cast is forced to play safe, the show could lose the little charm it still carries, leaving viewers with more noise than genuine humor.
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
