Netflix’s popular comedy series The Great Indian Kapil Show, hosted by Kapil Sharma, is now in the spotlight for a legal controversy. Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) India, a leading music licensing organisation, has filed a lawsuit in the Bombay High Court, alleging that multiple episodes of Season 3 featured unauthorised use of Bollywood songs. The complaint claims these songs were played audibly in front of live audiences and streamed globally without securing licences, violating India’s Copyright Act, 1957. This lawsuit also seeks injunctions, revenue disclosure, and possible damages, adding to the show’s previous intellectual property challenges.
What the Copyright Lawsuit Is About
The Great Indian Kapil Show blends celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and musical elements, making it a fan-favourite OTT series. However, PPL India alleges that the show used three major Bollywood songs without licences:
- “M Bole To” from Munna Bhai MBBS (2003)
- “Rama Re” from Kaante (2002)
- “Subha Hone Na De” from Desi Boyz (2011)
According to PPL India, these songs were not just background music but were audibly performed in front of live audiences and later streamed on Netflix. This qualifies as public performance under the Indian Copyright Act, requiring valid licensing. PPL claims the producers failed to obtain the necessary permissions, which constitutes copyright infringement.
Who Filed the Case and Why
The lawsuit was filed by Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) India, which represents over 400 music labels and sound recording rights owners. PPL India manages licensing for public performances, broadcasts, and digital streaming of sound recordings in India.
The organisation issued a cease-and-desist notice to the show’s producers on November 6, 2025, warning them against unauthorised use. When the producers reportedly responded with a vague holding reply and the songs continued to be used, PPL escalated the matter to the Bombay High Court.
This lawsuit underscores the importance of obtaining proper licences for music, especially when shows are streamed globally on platforms like Netflix.
Episodes in Question
The lawsuit specifically points to episodes aired between June and September 2025, covering key moments in Season 3. Each episode allegedly included one of the disputed songs, making them central to the legal complaint.
For audiences, this highlights how seemingly minor inclusions, like playing a song during a skit, can become legally significant when rights aren’t cleared properly.
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What Remedies Are Being Sought
PPL India has requested multiple actions from the court to address the alleged infringement:
- Injunction: Preventing Netflix and the producers from using any PPL‑owned music without licences in the future.
- Revenue Disclosure: Requiring the defendants to reveal earnings linked to episodes containing unauthorised music.
- Account of Profits/Damages: Directing payments based on profits made from unlicensed use.
- Custody of Infringing Material: Seeking a court receiver to manage episodes that allegedly violate copyright.
These requests show that PPL India aims not just for removal but also for financial accountability and strict enforcement of copyright rights.
Why Licences Are Crucial for OTT Shows
In India, any public performance or broadcast of a sound recording — including digital streaming — requires a licence from the rights holder. This ensures composers, singers, and producers are compensated when their work is commercially exploited.
In the OTT era, the stakes are even higher: shows like The Great Indian Kapil Show reach millions of viewers, and unlicensed music can expose platforms and producers to substantial legal and financial risk.
Previous Legal Issues for the Show
This is not the first intellectual property issue for The Great Indian Kapil Show. Earlier in 2025, producer Firoz A. Nadiadwala sent a ₹25 crore legal notice over a skit featuring comedian Kiku Sharda impersonating Baburao Ganpatrao Apte from the Hera Pheri franchise. Nadiadwala alleged unauthorised use of the character, demanding removal, apology, and compensation.
This prior case demonstrates that comedy shows leveraging iconic music or characters must tread carefully to avoid legal challenges.
How This Lawsuit Could Affect Netflix
Depending on the Bombay High Court’s ruling, several outcomes are possible:
- Editing or Removal: Disputed episodes might be temporarily blocked until licences are secured.
- Financial Penalties: If found liable, Netflix and producers could face damages.
- Stricter IP Compliance: Future episodes may undergo rigorous music and rights clearance to prevent recurrence.
- Delays in Production/Promotion: Legal proceedings may affect release schedules or marketing plans.
These implications show that content licensing is not just a creative matter but a critical operational and legal concern.
Industry Impact
This lawsuit highlights a key challenge for Indian OTT platforms: balancing creative freedom with strict copyright compliance. Shows with live-audience interactions, musical elements, or parody sketches must secure all necessary rights to avoid similar legal risks.
It also serves as a warning to global streaming platforms distributing local content in India — even seemingly minor copyright violations can escalate to high-profile lawsuits.
Also Read : Dhurandhar OTT Release: When and Where to Stream Ranveer Singh’s Spy Thriller
FAQs
What is the copyright lawsuit about?
PPL India claims The Great Indian Kapil Show used three Bollywood songs without proper licences, violating the Copyright Act.
Who filed the lawsuit?
Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) India filed the case in the Bombay High Court.
Which songs are involved?
“M Bole To” (Munna Bhai MBBS), “Rama Re” (Kaante), and “Subha Hone Na De” (Desi Boyz).
Has Netflix responded?
No official public statement has been issued by Netflix India or the producers yet.
Could future episodes be affected?
Yes — court orders could require edits, removal of content, or new licences before release.
Has the show faced similar issues before?
Yes — a ₹25 crore notice was previously issued for unauthorised use of a character from the Hera Pheri franchise.
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I’m Atul Kumar, founder of Cine Storytellers and an entertainment creator with 5+ years of experience. I cover films, celebrities, music, and OTT content with a focus on accurate, ethical, and engaging storytelling. My goal is to bring readers trustworthy entertainment news that informs, inspires, and goes beyond gossip.
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