Mumbai: The makers of the Hindi film Mastiii 4 are facing fresh legal trouble after a popular radio jockey and digital creator accused the film of copying his viral content without permission. Ashish Sharma has turned to the Delhi High Court and alleged that the movie has depicted a scene similar to one of his initial Instagram skits.
Sharma says that there is a specific sequence in Mastiii 4 that is almost identical to his audio visual sketch Shaq Karne Ka Nateeja, which he posted on Instagram in January 2024. The skit, built around humour driven by suspicion, went viral and crossed 11 million views, becoming one of the key contributors to his growing online popularity.
Allegations of copying and legal demands
In his petition, Sharma has alleged that the film’s producers copied more than just the basic idea. According to him, the plot, the relationship between characters, the order of events and even the ultimate comic punch line were stolen out of his skit without his permission and attribution.
The content creator has sought a permanent injunction against the makers, along with monetary damages and a full account of profits earned from the film. He has also claimed personally in a court that he is the only producer and the legitimate owner of the skit and that the purported infringement constitutes one of the clear cut infringements of his rights to creativity.
Mastiii 4 was produced by Maruti International along with other production houses and released in theatres on November 21, 2025. The movie has already ended its theatrical release, but it will be available on an OTT service on January 16, 2026, which increased the pressure on the legal process.
Court issues notice ahead of OTT premiere
A single judge Bench led by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela heard Sharma’s plea for urgent relief on January 6, 2026. Taking into account the film’s upcoming digital release, the court issued notice to the producers, stating that they must be given an opportunity to present their side before any interim order is passed.
The judge noted that the short notice was proper given the state of release of the movie being addressed. The case is currently scheduled to have its subsequent hearing on January 13, 2026.
With Ashish Sharma enjoying a strong following on Instagram and YouTube, the case has drawn attention beyond the courtroom. With the growing influence of social media creators on mainstream entertainment, this conflict might rekindle debates regarding originality, credit and copyright issues in Bollywood.
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