Digital News Guru Entertainment Desk:
The fourth installment of the popular Masti franchise, Mastiii 4, has found itself at the centre of a legal controversy just weeks after its theatrical run, as a well-known content creator has alleged that a key comedic scene in the film was unlawfully copied from one of his viral Instagram reels without permission. The matter is now being heard in the Delhi High Court, putting the makers of the film under scrutiny and raising broader questions about content originality, creative rights, and copyright infringement in Indian entertainment.
Background: The Controversy Unfolds
Mastiii 4, a Hindi adult comedy starring Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani, was released in theatres on 21 November 2025. Though it marks the reunion of the franchise’s iconic trio, the film’s performance at the box office has been mixed, sparking debate among critics and audiences alike.
On 6 January 2026, RJ Ashish Sharma, a prominent radio jockey and social media content creator, filed a civil suit in the Delhi High Court against the film’s producers, alleging that a scene in Mastiii 4 was directly copied from his viral Instagram reel titled “Shaq Karne Ka Nateeja”, posted in January 2024 and viewed more than 11 million times.
According to Sharma’s petition, the sequence in Mastiii 4 “closely resembles” his original skit — not just in tone, but in central idea, storyline, character interactions, sequence of events, and even the comic punchline — without his consent or any credit given. He claims this constitutes a violation of his creative rights and amounts to copyright infringement under Indian intellectual property law.
Legal Proceedings in the Delhi High Court
The case was heard by a single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court led by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. Given that Mastiii 4 is slated for release on OTT (digital) platforms on 16 January 2026, the timing of the legal action is particularly notable. Sharma’s counsel sought urgent relief: a permanent injunction to block the film’s further screenings or digital distribution, financial compensation for damages, and a full accounting of the profits earned from the movie.
Rather than immediately granting an injunction, the court issued a notice to the film’s producers, giving them a chance to respond to the allegations. The bench acknowledged that due process requires hearing both sides, particularly as the film has already completed its theatrical run and is on the verge of its digital premiere. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for 13 January 2026, just days before Mastiii 4 is set to stream online.
This development reflects the court’s attempt to balance creative rights protection with the need for fair legal proceedings, without causing undue disruption to the film’s release schedule — at least until a comprehensive assessment is made.
The Allegations: What Sharma Claims
Sharma’s complaint centres on intellectual property rights — specifically that the creators of Mastiii 4 used his Instagram reel without permission, credit, or compensation. His reel reportedly drew millions of views and helped build his online following, making the alleged unauthorised use even more significant from both a legal and commercial perspective.
In his plea, Sharma has described the scene in Mastiii 4 as not merely inspired by his work, but substantially derivative, copying the structure and execution of his original content with minimal alteration. If proven in court, such replication could be considered an infringement under the Copyright Act, 1957, which protects original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works — including audiovisual content.
Sharma has asked for three key remedies:
- A permanent injunction against the film’s public showing and online distribution,
- Financial damages to compensate for the alleged misappropriation, and
- A detailed financial audit to calculate the profits made from the infringing content.
Industry Reaction and Broader Implications
While the court proceedings are ongoing and Mastiii 4 producers have yet to publicly respond to the allegations, the case has sparked widespread discussion in the entertainment and digital content communities. The dispute highlights how mainstream cinema increasingly intersects with internet culture, especially as filmmakers draw inspiration from digital content that often reaches millions of viewers.
This intersection raises complex questions about originality, attribution, and the legal rights of independent creators whose work may be used — intentionally or unintentionally — in larger productions. Traditionally, cinema has adopted or adapted stories from various sources like literature, folk tales, and earlier films, but social media content adds a new dimension where short skits, viral clips, and reels can themselves be culturally significant works deserving legal protection.
Experts suggest that if the court finds merit in Sharma’s claims, it could set an important precedent for the protection of digital content creators. A judgement in his favour might encourage filmmakers to exercise greater caution when integrating popular online material into cinematic narratives, especially without permission or proper licensing agreements.
Moreover, it underscores the value of intellectual property rights in the digital age, where creators invest significant time and creativity into developing content that resonates with audiences — and it affirms that such contributions are not legally insignificant simply because they originate outside traditional media production channels.
About Mastiii 4 and Its Place in Bollywood
Mastiii 4 continues the legacy of the Masti franchise, known for its adult-comedy style and ensemble cast. Despite the controversy and its modest box office performance, the film’s theatrical release in late 2025 and planned OTT debut have kept it in the public eye. The franchise’s popularity has always hinged on humour and slapstick scenarios, but the current dispute opens up debates about where creative inspiration ends and unlawful copying begins.
Actors like Aftab Shivdasani have previously defended the franchise’s comedic approach, stressing that its intent is entertainment rather than moral messaging. But this legal challenge puts the spotlight not on the film’s theme, but on the process of creation and credit — crucial factors in the evolving landscape of entertainment.
Conclusion: A Courtroom Clash Over Creativity
The Mastiii 4 legal case underscores the growing pains of an entertainment industry adapting to the digital era. As platforms converge and creators straddle both social media and film, legal frameworks are being tested in real time.
As the Delhi High Court prepares to hear arguments later this month, all eyes are on how the judiciary interprets creative ownership in this context. The outcome could not only affect Mastiii 4 and its producers but also send a signal to filmmakers and digital creators alike about the importance of respecting and protecting creative content — whether it appears on a mobile screen or a cinema screen.
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