Film producer Firoz Nadiadwala has lodged a fraud complaint with the Amboli police station in Mumbai, focusing on the copyright and remake rights of the popular 2000 film Hera Pheri. He alleges that several individuals have colluded to illegally acquire his rights and extort a significant sum of money from him. Nadiadwala, aged 62, asserts that his legal ownership of the remake rights pertains to the original Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking, which was released in 1989.

According to the producer, he acquired the Hindi and other language remake rights, excluding South Indian languages, from Suresh Kumar Singhal of Ms Compact Disc India Limited for Rs 4.5 lakh back in 2000. Nadiadwala claims that a week before Hera Pheri debuted, various parties attempted to threaten him into making financial concessions.

In his formal complaint, Nadiadwala mentions that the pressure to pay arose from the substantial investment that had gone into the film. Fearing potential damage to his reputation and financial losses despite having a stay order from the court in his favour, he reportedly capitulated to the extortion attempts at that time.

Allegations of Misuse of Rights

Nearly 25 years after the initial claims, Nadiadwala states the issue has resurfaced, primarily involving the owners of the original film. He specifically mentions that Siddique KL and M Paul Michael have, allegedly, resold the rights to Gopala Pillai Vijaykumar of Ms Seven Arts International on 12 May 2022 for Rs 3 lakh. Nadiadwala insists that this transaction occurred despite the original rights being sold to him, emphasising that it constitutes an unlawful act.

Following the filing of the complaint, authorities responded by registering a case against Gopala Pillai Vijaykumar and M Paul Michael. They have been charged under Sections 318(4), 356, and 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code. An investigation has since been initiated, and it is anticipated that the implicated individuals may be summoned for interrogation as part of the proceedings.

The legal troubles intensified for Nadiadwala in December 2024, when he received a notice declaring that his film Phir Hera Pheri, which was released in 2006, was deemed illegal. The notice reportedly demanded payment of Rs 60 lakh along with a 25 per cent share of the film’s profits.

Impact on Nadiadwala’s Business

Nadiadwala has expressed concern that these ongoing disputes are interfering with the public listing process of his company. Allegations have emerged that false information is being disseminated about him, potentially harming his professional standing. This misinformation reportedly includes claims involving well-known actors Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal.

As the complaint unfolds, the police are actively investigating the claims and will likely gather further evidence regarding the rights associated with both Hera Pheri and its sequel, Phir Hera Pheri. The outcome of this investigation could significantly impact the individuals involved and potentially have wider implications for the Indian film industry.

The case serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights within the film sector and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by producers in safeguarding their legal interests.

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