Hyderabad Police Bust Major Movie Piracy Racket; Accused Nabbed for Pirating 65 Tollywood Films

Hyderabad, July 3 (Maxim News): In a significant crackdown on film piracy, the Cyber Crime Police in Hyderabad have busted a major movie piracy racket, arresting a man allegedly responsible for pirating over 65 Tollywood movies, causing a loss of over ₹3.7 crore to the Telugu film industry.

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The accused, identified as Jana Kiran Kumar, hailing from East Godavari district, was working as an AC technician in Vanasthalipuram. Despite his day job, he was actively involved in illegally recording and distributing pirated high-definition versions of popular Telugu films.

How the Racket Operated

According to police, Kiran Kumar used corn cards and specialized recording devices to illegally capture movies directly from theaters. The pirated content was then uploaded to websites and Telegram channels, where it was widely distributed to users seeking illegal copies of new releases.

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The police revealed that Kiran Kumar had recorded movies from at least 40 different theaters across Hyderabad over the last 18 months. His piracy operations reportedly began in early 2023 and gained momentum throughout 2024.

Charges Filed Under Cyber & Copyright Laws

A comprehensive case has been registered against the accused under multiple stringent laws, including:

• Sections 66(c) and 66(e) of the IT Act
• Sections 318(4) r/w 3(5), 338 BNS
• Sections 63, 65 of the Copyright Act
• Sections 6-AA, 6-AB, 7(1A) of the Cinematograph Act

The police are also investigating other potential accomplices, as evidence suggests Kiran Kumar may have been part of a larger piracy network.

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Massive Loss to Film Industry

Officials estimate that the piracy led to a direct revenue loss of around ₹3.7 crore in 2024 alone. The Telugu film industry, already grappling with post-pandemic challenges, has been urging authorities to take strict action against piracy syndicates.

Authorities Speak

A senior police official from the Cyber Crime Unit stated.

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“Movie piracy is not a victimless crime. It not only violates intellectual property rights but also severely impacts the livelihood of thousands of artists and technicians. We are committed to curbing this menace.”

Public Advisory

The police have urged the public to avoid downloading or sharing pirated content and report any suspicious activities or Telegram groups that may be circulating illegal movie links.

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