The makers of Mastiii 4 have been pulled into a legal storm after radio jockey and social media creator Ashish Sharma alleged that a scene in the film borrows heavily from one of his viral Instagram skits. Sharma has moved the Delhi High Court, claiming the film used his work without permission.
What Ashish Sharma is claiming
Sharma says a sequence in Mastiii 4 closely mirrors his January 2024 skit titled “Shaq Karne Ka Nateeja”. The clip, built around suspicion-driven humour, reportedly crossed 11 million views on Instagram and helped boost his profile on digital platforms. In his petition, Sharma alleges the producers copied not only the central idea but also the storyline, character interactions, sequence of events and the comic punchline.
He has asked the court for a permanent injunction to stop further use, financial damages and a full account of profits, arguing that his creative rights were violated when the material was used without consent or credit.
Court hearing and the immediate fallout
The case came up before a single-judge Bench of Justice Tushar Rao Gedela on January 6, 2026. With Mastiii 4 already finished with its theatrical run and an OTT release scheduled for January 16, 2026, the timing became a key factor in the proceedings. The court issued notice to the film’s producers — including Maruti International and its co-producers — so they can present their defence before any interim action is taken.
The judge noted the film’s imminent digital premiere and decided that a short notice was appropriate. The matter is next listed for hearing on January 13, 2026, and until then the makers will have the opportunity to respond to Sharma’s allegations.
Where the film stands — release timeline and stakes
Mastiii 4 hit theatres on November 21, 2025, and is set to debut on an OTT platform on January 16, 2026. That digital window is central to Sharma’s urgent plea: an OTT premiere makes any allegedly infringing material widely and quickly accessible, increasing the potential harm to the original creator and the scale of any alleged copying.
Even though the theatrical run is over, the court’s decision could affect the film’s online rollout or lead to financial consequences depending on how the evidence shapes up.
Why this matter could reshape creator-cinema relations
The dispute highlights a growing tension between social media creators and mainstream cinema. Digital creators like Sharma increasingly produce original, bite-sized content that enters public consciousness — and sometimes, they say, into larger productions without proper credit or compensation.
Legal experts and creators will be watching the case for its wider implications. A ruling in Sharma’s favour could push producers to be more careful with sourcing ideas and to negotiate credits or licences when borrowing from popular online content. Conversely, how the court defines similarity versus inspiration will matter for both filmmakers and content creators going forward.
Public reaction and context
The controversy adds to the mixed reception Mastiii 4 has already faced. Trade voices criticised the film for what they called “vulgar jokes that don’t land” and questioned the casting of older leads in a film pitched at youth audiences. Whether those creative critiques will carry weight in court is uncertain, but they do frame the film’s current reputation as it heads into the OTT market.
As the next hearing approaches on January 13, viewers, creators and industry insiders will be waiting to see how the makers of Mastiii 4 respond and whether this case sparks a broader conversation about originality, attribution and creative boundaries in Bollywood.