Mastiii 4 Faces Legal Trouble: RJ Ashish Sharma Accuses Filmmakers of Copying Viral Instagram Skit, Moves Delhi High Court

Ziya Khan January 7, 2026Last Updated: January 7, 2026

The makers of the recently released Hindi film Mastiii 4 find themselves embroiled in a fresh controversy as radio jockey and popular content creator Ashish Sharma has approached the Delhi High Court, alleging that a scene in the film was copied from his viral Instagram skit without permission.

Sharma claims that a sequence in Mastiii 4 closely mirrors his audio-visual skit titled “Shaq Karne Ka Nateeja,” which he posted on Instagram in January 2024. The skit, known for its humour centered around suspicion, garnered over 11 million views and significantly boosted Sharma’s social media presence.In his legal plea, Sharma accuses the film’s producers of replicating not only the core idea but also the storyline, character dynamics, sequence of events, and even the comic punchline from his original content. He has sought a permanent injunction against the filmmakers, financial compensation, and a detailed account of profits, asserting that his work was used without consent or credit.

Produced by Maruti International and other collaborators, Mastiii 4 hit theatres on November 21, 2025, and is scheduled for an OTT release on January 16, 2026 — a factor that played a significant role during the court proceedings. On January 6, 2026, a single-judge Bench led by Justice Tushar Rao Gedela heard Sharma’s plea for immediate relief. Noting the film’s forthcoming digital release, the court issued notice to the producers, emphasizing the need to hear their side before any interim orders. The judge acknowledged the short notice, considering the film’s release timeline.

Sharma, who commands a large following on Instagram and YouTube, maintained that he is the sole creator and owner of the disputed skit. He argued that the alleged copying constitutes a deliberate infringement of his creative rights, underscoring the growing importance of digital creators in shaping popular culture.The case is set for the next hearing on January 13, 2026. As the dispute unfolds, it raises broader questions about originality, attribution, and creative boundaries in Bollywood amidst the increasing crossover between social media content and mainstream cinema.