Viacom 18 Say “Gutthi” Cannot Be Copied; Even Sunil Grover Cannot Be “Gutthi”!

With Sunil Grover, who played popular character of 'Gutthi' in Comedy Nights with Kapil, parting ways with the comedy program, the channel has issued a public notice to warn the actor against taking his alter ego on the show elsewhere.

Show's producers Viacom 18 today published an advert in the newspapers as a notice, warning that the network will resort to legal action if Grover or any artist uses the character in any other show. "A certain artist and a stand-up comedian associated with the programme Comedy Nights With Kapil aired on Colors television channels is planning to launch or be associated with other shows wherein the said artist is likely to perform the character of 'Gutthi' or use the mannerisms and characteristic features of 'Gutthi' or any other character played by the Artist in the said programme."

"Take notice that Viacom18 has sole, exclusive, absolute and unlimited ownership rights of all the intellectual Property rights of the Artist associated with the programme including the rights in the format of the programme."

Grover quit the comedy show amid reports that he was asking for a pay hike while Grover's camp has blamed the creative team for being insecure about his increasing popularity with the audience.

Grover recently hinted about a change, saying he will be indebted to the show despite leaving it. "I'm an entertainer. This stage or that stage, this character or that. My goal is to entertain even if mediums change. Indebted to CNWK 4eva!," Grover tweeted recently.

Hosted by comedian Kapil Sharma, the show features different characters of Dadi, Biwi, Gutthi and her sister Palak, who barge in occasionally as Sharma interviews celebrity guests.

PTI