Trouble has surfaced for Mastiii 4, the latest instalment of the popular comedy franchise, with legal proceedings now underway in the Delhi High Court. Content creator Ashish Sharma has filed a case against the film’s makers, claiming that a sequence in the movie closely mirrors his original Instagram reel that gained massive online attention earlier this year.
As per court records cited by Live Law, Ashish’s reel, titled Shaq Karne Ka Nateeja, was posted in January 2024 and crossed 11 million views. In his plea, the creator alleged that the film reproduced not just the central concept but also the storyline flow, character dynamics, sequence of events and even the final comic punchline, without his consent or acknowledgment. He has sought a permanent injunction against the producers, along with monetary damages and a detailed account of the film’s profits.
Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, who heard the plea on January 6, noted that the film’s makers must be given an opportunity to respond before any interim relief is granted. Considering the film’s impending digital release, the court issued notice to the producers and observed that a short response timeline was justified. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on January 13, 2026.
Meanwhile, debates around the Masti franchise are not new. In an earlier interview, Aftab Shivdasani defended the films, stating that they are meant purely for entertainment and not moral commentary. He maintained that humour, not messaging, has always been at the heart of the series.
