Filmmakers in South India are raising alarms over the growing menace of piracy, which continues to erode their profits despite ongoing enforcement efforts.
Pirated versions of films are often leaked within hours of release, appearing on illegal websites, social media platforms and even local cable networks, causing significant financial losses, reported The Times of India.
Recent high-profile cases highlight the scale of the problem:
• Pushpa 2, starring Allu Arjun, was pirated soon after release, with a YouTuber uploading the film online – causing an estimated loss of Rs50 crore ($7.7 million). The Hyderabad cybercrime police are currently investigating.
• Game Changer, featuring Ram Charan, was illegally broadcast on an Andhra Pradesh cable network. Authorities swiftly acted, arresting those responsible and seizing the broadcasting equipment.
• Ajayante Randam Moshanam, a Malayalam film starring Tovino Thomas, was leaked online, prompting the director to file a police report in Kerala.
• Other recent victims of piracy include Dragon, Laila, Brahma Anandam, and Thandel, all of which were leaked within days of release.
Piracy has plagued the Indian film industry for decades. In Tamil Nadu, the government invoked the Goondas Act in 2006 to curb the issue, leading to temporary crackdowns on DVD parlours selling pirated films.
However, enforcement challenges have allowed illegal activities to persist. Cities like Chennai, Madurai, and Puducherry remain hotspots for pirated DVDs and online leaks.
Other southern states, including Kerala and Karnataka, have also struggled with piracy. According to Mr H.D. Gangaraju, former president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, nearly 80 per cent of Kannada producers face financial difficulties due to piracy.
Experts warn that piracy continues to drain the entertainment industry’s revenue, despite various measures taken over the years.
Mr Mukul Shrivastava, partner at EY Forensic and Integrity Services, said that anti-piracy measures remain “insufficient and fragmented,” urging stronger industry collaboration and government intervention.
Mr Rohit Jain, chairman of the Digital Entertainment Committee at the Internet and Mobile Association of India, emphasised that India’s digital entertainment sector – expected to reach Rs 1.46 billion by 2026 – is at risk if piracy is not curbed.
“It is imperative for all stakeholders – government bodies, industry players and consumers – to unite in combating this issue,” he said.
South Indian filmmakers are stepping up legal actions against piracy, deploying advanced technology like digital watermarking and encryption to track illegal distribution. However, experts stress that law enforcement must do more to tackle organised piracy networks.
With the film industry contributing significantly to India’s economy, stakeholders are calling for stricter regulations, stronger enforcement and collective action to safeguard the future of Indian cinema.
