Understanding the Piracy Dilemma in Tollywood
The menace of piracy is not new to the film industry, but its evolution with technological advancements has made it an intensely challenging issue to tackle. Surprisingly, instead of curtailing the problem, technological growth seems to be fueling piracy, as evident in the recent predicaments involving ‘Game Changer’.
With illegal broadcasts of ‘Game Changer’ on local cable channels in Vizag and the rampant distribution of pirated copies, this issue is turning into a major concern. Disturbingly, the creators of ‘Game Changer’ felt compelled to report this crime to authorities, naming 45 individuals in the complaint suggesting that their film was targeted even before it hit the screens.
The boldness of the perpetrators is shocking, with pirated versions being accessible in unexpected places such as private buses, hospitals, and hotels. The situation was exemplified when producer Madhura Sreedhar discovered a security guard at a private medical facility enjoying the movie on his phone.
Other recent movies such as ‘Daaku Maharaj’ and ‘Sankranthi Ki Vastunnam’ have also felt the sting of piracy. Yet, the problem looms large, significantly due to the surge in high-definition pirated content, prompting a dire need for the film industry to enforce forthright strategies to curb this malpractice.
Challenges in Combating Piracy
With films like ‘Game Changer’ being launched on thousands of screens globally, tracing the origin of pirated material has proven to be a time-consuming and costly affair, often yielding results when the film’s theater run has been concluded. Such delays affect not only box office revenue but also diminish the efforts of those involved in the production process.
Moreover, international OTT platforms also face piracy hurdles, further complicating the battle against this illegal activity. Conventional defenses such as advanced encryption and watermarked copies offer limited solutions against lax enforcement protocols. Therefore, the film industry must delve into cutting-edge technologies like blockchain for secure distribution and AI-driven piracy detection systems.
A Collective Solution
A steadfast solution demands collective initiative, comprising filmmakers, production houses, OTT platforms, and the audience. While there have been some successful cases like the efforts by ETV Win in combating piracy, a comprehensive strategy should be implemented for an enduring victory against these infringements.
Ultimately, it is through unity and innovative solutions that the industry can hope to shield itself from the claws of piracy and continue delivering cinematic experiences unhampered by unauthorized exploitation.
