Piracy has once again become a pressing issue for the Telugu film industry. After a stellar 2024 with massive hits like Pushpa 2: The Rule, Kalki 2898 AD, Devara: Part 1, and HanuMan, the industry is now facing a serious crisis. Within just two months of the new year, major films such as Game Changer and Thandel have fallen prey to piracy, with HD prints leaked online. Prominent figures in Tollywood, including producers Allu Aravind, Bunny Vas, and Dil Raju, along with actors like Vishwak Sen and Anjali, have voiced their concerns and pledged to take action.
Tollywood Fights Back Against Piracy
Industry leaders have taken legal measures to curb piracy, filing complaints and ensuring arrests. However, they stress that lasting change must come from audiences who should refrain from watching pirated content and instead support films in theatres.
Thandel Illegally Screened in APSRTC Bus
Thandel, starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, has been performing well at the box office, grossing ₹62 crore in its opening weekend. However, its producers were shocked to discover that the film was screened illegally on an APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) bus through a cable network. Additionally, HD prints of the movie surfaced on WhatsApp and Telegram groups.
Allu Aravind emphasized that piracy, which had seen a decline due to OTT platforms, is making a resurgence. He warned that uploading and downloading pirated prints is illegal and assured that swift legal action would be taken. Bunny Vas, recalling past instances where Geetha Govindam and Taxiwaala faced similar leaks, confirmed that those responsible were prosecuted and remain in jail. He vowed to pursue legal action against perpetrators this time as well.
Vas also stated that he would inform Pawan Kalyan, Deputy CM of Andhra Pradesh, about the APSRTC incident. Following this revelation, APSRTC Chairman Konakalla Narayana Rao ordered an inquiry. To tackle piracy, the producers have urged the public to report leaked prints of Thandel at 9573225069. The Film Chamber’s anti-piracy cell has also been mobilized to combat such threats.
Increase in Threats to Leak HD Prints
Piracy has escalated beyond illegal screenings, with threats of leaks becoming a tool for online fan wars and political trolling. Vishwak Sen, during a press interaction for his upcoming film Laila, broke down as he revealed he had received threats due to a political statement made by his co-star ‘30 Years’ Prudhvi at a pre-release event.
“There are over 25,000 tweets calling to boycott Laila because of a political comment made at our event. Some have even threatened to leak the HD print of the film on its opening day. I apologize for what happened, but I am not politically inclined. I’m only 29, and we worked incredibly hard on this film. Please don’t do this; it’s heartbreaking,” Vishwak Sen pleaded. Producer Sahu Garapati also assured legal action against those attempting to leak the movie.
Game Changer and Its Piracy Battle
Shankar’s Game Changer, starring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, also fell victim to piracy shortly after its release in January. The film was illegally broadcast on a cable TV channel and subsequently leaked online. Producer Dil Raju filed a cyber complaint against 45 individuals, stating that the leak was due to non-compliance with an extortion demand.
Dil Raju urged audiences not to support piracy in any form, emphasizing the hard work and dedication that go into filmmaking. Actress Anjali also hinted at the impact of piracy on the film’s box office collections. “As an actor, I can only be responsible for my performance, but a film’s success depends on various factors. Piracy hurts everyone involved, and we all feel the pain when it happens.”
Tollywood’s Stand Against Piracy
With piracy resurging, Tollywood filmmakers and actors are determined to fight back. While legal actions are underway, they continue to appeal to audiences to watch movies in theatres and report any illegal activities. As the industry gears up for more blockbuster releases, tackling piracy remains a crucial challenge to ensure the sustainability and success of Telugu cinema.