Mumbai, May 1: Filmmaker and director Firoz Nadiadwala has lodged a fraud complaint at the Amboli police station in Mumbai regarding the copyright and remake rights of his hit film ‘Hera Pheri.’ He alleges that certain individuals conspired to seize his legal rights and extort millions from him.
Nadiadwala informed the police that the 2000 film ‘Hera Pheri’ is based on the Malayalam film ‘Ramji Rao Speaking’ (1989). He purchased the Hindi and other language (excluding South Indian languages) remake rights from Suresh Kumar Singhal of Messrs Compact Disc India Limited for ₹450,000 in the same year.
According to Nadiadwala, just seven days before the film’s release, some individuals pressured him to extort money. At that time, significant investments had already been made in the film, and fearing defamation and financial loss, he felt compelled to pay, despite the court having issued a stay order in his favor. Now, 25 years later, a new conspiracy has emerged.
The complaint states that the original Malayalam film owners, Siddique K.L. and M. Paul Michael, knowingly sold the rights to Gopala Pillai Vijaykumar (Messrs Seven Arts International) for only ₹300,000 on May 12, 2022, despite the rights having been sold previously.
In December 2024, Nadiadwala received a legal notice declaring his film ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ (2006) illegal. The opposing party demanded ₹6 million and 25% of the total profits from the film.
Nadiadwala also accused these individuals of obstructing his company’s public listing process. He claimed that the names of major actors like Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, and Paresh Rawal were misused to spread false news against him, causing significant damage to his professional reputation.
The police have registered a case against Gopala Pillai Vijaykumar and M. Paul Michael under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) based on Nadiadwala’s complaint. The police are now investigating the matter further and will soon summon all relevant parties for questioning.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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