A massive film piracy racket has been busted by the police, revealing a shocking loss of Rs. 3,700 crore to the Telugu and Tamil cinema industries in 2024. The mastermind behind the racket, Kiran Kumar from Andhra Pradesh, was arrested for illegally copying newly released films from cinema halls onto his mobile phone and selling them to notorious piracy websites like MovieRules and Tamil MV. Authorities have discovered at least 65 films pirated through this network, with the actual figure potentially being higher.
The piracy ring was well-established, with several collaborators helping distribute and upload content on various platforms. Kumar allegedly charged between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 80,000 per film, depending on demand and release size. The total loss to producers, distributors, and cinema owners has reached alarming proportions, with several big-ticket blockbusters included among the pirated offerings.
The Telugu Film Chamber and some production houses have praised the police for the arrest, calling for strict action against all those involved. Further arrests are expected in the coming days as investigations continue. This case highlights the growing threat of piracy in the Indian entertainment industry and the need for increased enforcement and digital protection.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting creative content and the need for robust measures to prevent piracy. The arrest of Kiran Kumar is a significant blow to the piracy racket, and it remains to be seen how the industry will work together to prevent such incidents in the future.