Sorry saga of leaked tales
As Akshay Kumar’s Toilet... becomes the latest victim of online piracy, trade analysts and filmmakers weigh in how to avoid such accidents and the film’s losses thereafter
Ahead of its big release next month, the Akshay Kumar and Bhumi Pednekar starrer, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha has been the latest victim of online piracy. The film, which was all set to hit the screens on August 11, was available online two weeks before its release.
A number of films like Sultan, Great Grand Masti
and Udta
Punjab have recently fallen prey to the menace of piracy. With a huge sum of money being invested in the making of these big-budget movies, a lot is at stake of the makers. And a leak even two days before the film’s release is capable of affecting box office collections tremendously, says trade analyst Komal Nahta. “If it is leaked a week before its release or even two days before its release, people want to see it. And this affects the box office records tremendously, and nothing can be done to recover the losses. It’s also because people experience a different thrill in watching a film before it is released and this is the reason why these leaks spread like wildfire. If a film of anyone. In our office as is leaked on the day of well, we are very strict when release, nobody is bothered the film is circulated for VFX, about it,” he adds. CBFC, etc. Who leaks the Udta Punjab, yet another movie, no one can say. But it victim of piracy, was critically makes an impact tremendously acclaimed, but didn’t really on the box office set cash registers ringing. records, because we bank on The director of the film the earnings of the film in the Abhishek Chaubey feels that first three days of its release. people should stop treating And a film leaked online piracy as a small issue. “As makes it accessible in people’s filmmakers, we phones with just a touch can only make of a button. Even scenes from people aware my film Sarbjit were leaked. and ensure Once a film is leaked online, that the we can only pray that people law and don’t watch a enforcement leaked film at home measures and go to watch in are the theatres,” stringent says when it Omung, comes to adding, piracy. It is “The not an innocent whole crime, and industry we should stop treating it like one. While people faces don’t take piracy seriously, this they need to understand that menace the same funds that are being of piracy. earned here are used in other evil sources like drugs and Usually arms. It is a serious offence,” leaks he rues. happen It takes a lot of efforts to get when a the film on the big-screen and pen incidents like these can weaken drive or a CD the morale of the makers. goes to the wrong According to filmmaker place. So precautions Omung Kumar, piracy is the have to be taken.” worst thing that can happen While it is indeed to a filmmaker. “It’s something horrifying for a filmmaker, that is not in the control star-studded films need not worry, argues trade analyst Kumar Mohan. “The risks with mega stars are not too much. With big stars like Akshay there are still chances of people going to the theatres to just watch him, so there are chances of losses in his case won’t be much.”
On being asked if there’s any solution to curb the menace of piracy, Abhishek shrugs. “There’s nothing much that can be done about online leaks. It is difficult to find out who is the real culprit, what one can do it watermark every print to know the actual source,” he says.