Producer Firoz Nadiadwala files fraud case over Hera Pheri rights, claims extortion

Film producer Firoz Nadiadwala has filed a fraud complaint in Mumbai over the copyright and remake rights of Hera Pheri. He has alleged an attempt to usurp his rights, extort money and disrupt his company's public listing.

In Short

• Firoz Nadiadwala files fraud complaint over Hera Pheri remake rights
• Claims he legally bought rights in 2000 for Rs 4.5 lakh excluding South Indian languages
• Alleges rights were resold in 2022 causing extortion attempts and legal notices

Film producer Firoz Nadiadwala has filed a fraud complaint at Mumbai's Amboli police station over the copyright and remake rights of the 2000 film Hera Pheri, alleging that some people colluded to usurp his legal rights and extort crores of rupees from him.

In his complaint, Nadiadwala, 62, said the dispute relates to Hera Pheri, based on the Malayalam film Ramji Rao Speaking, released in 1989. He said he had legally bought the remake rights of the story in Hindi and other languages, except South Indian languages, from Suresh Kumar Singhal of M/s Compact Disc India Limited for Rs 4.5 lakh in 2000.

Nadiadwala said that seven days before Hera Pheri was released in 2000, some people tried to extort money from him by putting him under pressure. In the complaint, he said, "At that time, a huge investment had been made in the film, hence, due to fear of defamation and loss, I had to make the payment under pressure, even though the court had given a stay order in my favour."

According to the complaint, the matter has resurfaced after 25 years. Nadiadwala alleged that the owners of the original film, Siddique KL and M Paul Michael, despite knowing that the rights had already been sold, resold the rights to Gopala Pillai Vijaykumar of M/s Seven Arts International on 12 May 2022 for Rs 3 lakh.

Following his complaint, police registered a case against Gopala Pillai Vijaykumar and M Paul Michael under Sections 318(4), 356 and 3(5) of the IPC, and further investigation is under way.

He further said that in December 2024, he received a legal notice declaring his film Phir Hera Pheri, released in 2006, illegal. According to the complaint, the parties issuing the notice demanded Rs 60 lakh and a 25 per cent share of the film's total profits.

Nadiadwala also alleged that the parties were obstructing his company's public listing process. He said false news was being spread about him using the names of actors Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal, and that this was harming his professional reputation.

Police have begun an investigation into the complaint, and the concerned parties may be called for questioning. The case centres on Nadiadwala's allegation that the rights linked to Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri were misused despite an earlier sale, leading to fresh demands and legal action.

- Ends