The recently released Hindi film *Mastiii 4* has found itself embroiled in a significant legal controversy. Popular radio jockey and content creator Ashish Sharma has approached the Delhi High Court, accusing the filmmakers of lifting a scene directly from one of his highly successful viral Instagram skits without consent or credit.
The Plagiarism Claim: Shaq Karne Ka Nateeja
Ashish Sharma alleges that a specific sequence in *Mastiii 4* bears a striking resemblance to his audio-visual skit titled “Shaq Karne Ka Nateeja.” This skit, which debuted on Instagram in January 2024, garnered over 11 million views, significantly boosting Sharma's online presence and popularity. Sharma's plea asserts that the film's producers copied not only the central comedic idea but also the storyline, character interactions, sequence of events, and even the unique comic punchline from his original work.
Legal Action and Court Proceedings
In response to the alleged infringement, Sharma has sought several forms of relief from the court:
* A permanent injunction against the film's continued distribution. * Significant financial damages for the unauthorized use of his content. * A detailed account of profits made from the film.
Given the film's theatrical run concluded and its imminent premiere on an OTT platform on January 16, 2026, the Delhi High Court, under Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, heard Sharma's request for immediate relief on January 6, 2026. The court issued notice to the producers, granting them an opportunity to present their defense before any interim decision is made, acknowledging the critical stage of the film's release cycle.
Implications for Digital Creators and Bollywood
Ashish Sharma, who commands a substantial following across Instagram and YouTube, emphasized in court his sole ownership and creation of the skit. He argued that this alleged copying represents a deliberate violation of his creative rights, highlighting a growing concern for digital creators whose original content increasingly influences popular culture. The case, next scheduled for January 13, 2026, is poised to spark a broader discussion within the entertainment industry about:
* Originality and intellectual property rights. * Attribution for creative works. * The evolving boundaries between social media content and mainstream cinema.
This dispute underscores the challenges and legal complexities arising from the intersection of digital content creation and traditional film production in Bollywood.
