‘Hera Pheri’, a remake of the Malayalam ‘Ramji Rao Speaking’, propelled Nadiadwala’s career with its timeless humor. He secured the rights in 2000 from Compact Disc India Limited’s Suresh Kumar Singhal for Rs 4.5 lakh, covering Hindi and select languages.

Trouble first struck pre-release when pressure tactics forced payments amid huge stakes and a favorable court order. Fast-forward to 2022: Original owners Siddiqui K.L. and M. Paul Michael illicitly resold rights to Gopala Pillai Vijayakumar for Rs 3 lakh.

Come December 2024, a notice hit Nadiadwala, branding ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ pirated and seeking Rs 60 lakh alongside 25% profits. He links this to disruptions in his firm’s IPO plans and smear campaigns invoking top actors’ names to damage his standing.

Authorities have invoked BNS sections against the accused, launching a probe that promises to summon key figures. This case highlights rampant issues in film rights management, where greed threatens legacies built on box-office gold.

As Nadiadwala fights back, fans of the ‘Hera Pheri’ series – known for catchphrases that endure – await clarity on whether their favorite comedy empire faces dismantling. The investigation could set precedents for protecting intellectual property in Indian cinema.