Hyderabad: Despite an intensified crackdown by multiple agencies, piracy websites continue to flourish, drawing millions of views for newly released films across industries. A recent TOI investigation identified at least 27 active platforms hosting Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil blockbusters in high-definition (HD) formats—often within hours of release.Among the latest casualties is ‘Jana Nayagan’, starring Tamil superstar-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay. The film surfaced online in HD even before its theatrical debut earlier this month, spreading rapidly across sites such as Movierulz, Tamilrockers, Filmyzilla, 9xflix, and Vegamovies. Although Tamil Nadu police arrested six individuals linked to the leak, the intervention came after the film had already been widely circulated.Following the film’s completion, Vijay transitioned into full-time politics with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).“Blocking one website barely makes a dent, as several more versions often resurface within hours, keeping the piracy chain alive,” said an industry insider, explaining how these platforms sustain themselves by constantly changing domains and links.In a series of recent crackdowns, enforcement agencies succeeded in shutting down websites such as iBomma, Bappam, and Tamilblasters. However, a new wave of platforms quickly emerged to offer the same illegal services.Consider recent examples: the Bollywood hit Dhurandhar, the Telugu success Dacoit, and major blockbusters such as Baahubali, KGF, Salaar, and Pushpa 2. Pirated versions of these films appeared online shortly after their official theatrical releases, undercutting box office potential.“Piracy today is highly organised. Operators use foreign servers, encrypted communication, and automated tools. Shutting down one node does not dismantle the network, it simply regenerates elsewhere,” said R G Siva Maruthi, assistant commissioner of police (Cyber Crimes), Hyderabad, highlighting the technological complexity involved. While acknowledging recent enforcement successes, noted Tollywood producer Suresh Daggubati emphasised that piracy continues to evolve faster than regulatory action. “Because of the ease and anonymity that technology offers—combined with geographical and jurisdictional barriers—this has become a global whack-a-mole problem,” he told TOI.The financial impact, he added, extends far beyond lost ticket sales. “Official estimates suggest that the Indian film industry loses over Rs 22,400 crore annually. More importantly, piracy leads to job losses and threatens the livelihoods of thousands. When producers are unable to recover their investments and creative labour, it discourages further investment, ultimately reducing the scale and volume of content creation.“Industry representatives note that the damage is felt across the entire value chain—from daily wage workers and technicians to theatre owners, distributors, and digital platforms. Reduced box office collections due to leaks create a cascading financial strain at every level of production and exhibition.K L Damodar Prasad, producer and president of the Telugu Producers Council, stressed that anti-piracy efforts require constant vigilance. “Cracking down on piracy is an ongoing process—it requires 24/7 attention. Despite continuous efforts, these websites remain active. Most operate from outside India, making enforcement more complex and necessitating persistent monitoring,” he said.He further noted that the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce maintains a dedicated anti-piracy team, though identifying and apprehending offenders remains a continuous challenge.……..BOXIn an attempt to curb this menace, the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau has set up an Anti-Piracy Unit, with cyber commandos and enforcement officers working alongside the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. Officials say the unit follows a scientific and coordinated strategy, working with national and global anti-piracy agencies to dismantle networks systematically. Daggubati also called for a sustained multi-pronged strategy, including a registry of rogue websites, faster takedowns, and focused action against repeat offenders.
