Salman Khan, Kapil Sharma Respond To Legal Notice Of BBMF

The response from Parinam Law Associates, dated Nov 6, strongly refutes these allegations, asserting that, The Great Indian Kapil Show is purely a comedic work meant to entertain, without any intention to harm or misrepresent Tagore’s work or legacy

Mumbai: In a recent legal exchange, Parinam Law Associates, representing Bollywood personalities Salman Khan’s BeingU Studios and comedian Kapil Sharma, has issued a formal response to a legal notice from Dr Parimal Kanti Mondal regarding the Netflix comedy series The Great Indian Kapil Show. Bizz Buzz was the first to break this story in its edition dated November 5.

Dr Mondal, President of the Bongo Bhashi Mahasabha Foundation (BBMF), had raised objections through his legal advisor, Nripendra Krishna Roy, alleging that the show misrepresents cultural elements and disparages the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore.

The notice, dated November 1, was initially sent on behalf of Dr Mondal, represented by legal advisor Nripendra Krishna Roy. The foundation claims that the series allegedly disparages the legacy of Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore and risks offending cultural and religious sentiments.

The response from Parinam Law Associates, dated November 6, strongly refutes these allegations, asserting that The Great Indian Kapil Show is purely a comedic work meant to entertain, without any intention to harm or misrepresent Tagore’s work or legacy. Representing Kapil Sharma and BeingU Studios, Parinam Law emphasizes that the series comprises fictional sketches and parodies, common in comedy, and argues that it does not target any individual or community with malicious intent. According to the response, The Great Indian Kapil Show adheres to the genre of comedy and has been categorized as such on Netflix. The letter notes that the audience widely appreciates the show for its satire and witty content, which has contributed to its popularity worldwide. Given this context, Parinam Law asserts that any assumption of misrepresentation of third-party reputations is unfounded.

Parinam Law Associates further argues that parody is protected under the right to freedom of speech and expression, as enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.

The response references past legal rulings, underscoring that attempts to restrict creative expression risk undermining artists’ fundamental rights, potentially stifling free speech due to fear of legal repercussions. Additionally, the response claims that common phrases, such as ‘Ekla Chalo,’ have broad public usage, and thus cannot be monopolized by any single party.

In closing, Parinam Law urged Dr Mondal and the Bongo Bhashi Mahasabha Foundation to withdraw their notice and refrain from escalating the matter. However, they cautioned that any further legal action by the foundation would be ‘at their sole risk’ concerning potential costs and consequences, with BeingU Studios prepared to vigorously defend its position.

Talking to Bizz Buzz, Dr Mondal, said: “BBMF has been committed for years to supporting and uplifting underprivileged communities. We stand resolutely against any effort to defame our freedom fighters or prominent personalities, whether such actions come from within India or abroad.”

The letter concluded with a clear assertion that the contents of Parinam Law’s response do not constitute any admission of the claims made by the foundation and that all rights of their clients remain reserved. This exchange highlights the growing debate on the boundaries of creative expression within India’s entertainment industry.