Even Rajinikanth isn’t immune to piracy, ‘Kabali’ leaked online before release
Poster of the Film Kabali
A print of Rajinikanth’s upcoming film ‘Kabali’ has reportedly been leaked on the internet four days before it’s theatrical release on July 22. Directed by Pa Ranjith, the film also stars Radhika Apte.
While investigating the leak, we found dozens of websites claiming to have the ‘leaked copy’ of the film available for download. However, unlike most films, the prints are primarily available on the Dark Web, as opposed to torrents. But, it seldom takes times for the prints to surface on torrents.
A source close to the production told DNA, “We’ve contacted the authorities to pull down all these unauthorised links to the film. However, this is a Rajinikanth film. It is difficult to contain let alone control the excitement for a film starring the Thalaiva.”
Needless to say, the film’s makers are requesting Rajinikanth’s fans to refrain from watching the leaked print. But, they too understand that it’s difficult for them to curtail their excitement when it comes to the Superstar’s films.
Central Board of Film Certification chief Pahlaj Nihalani, who was accused of leaking the copy of ‘Udta Punjab’ earlier, expressed concern over the film’s leak while talking to the daily, “Now, the pirates have not spared Rajinikanth either! Kabali was censored in Chennai, so it had nothing to do with our office in Mumbai.”
The controversial chief further added, “Earlier, there was Salman Khan’s Sultan. However, I don’t think collections of films with iconic stars will get affected by the leaks. It is the smaller films featuring non-A-listers, which get hit by the leaks. Great Grand Masti is a case in point.”
In the recent past, the prints of ‘Udta Punjab’ and ‘Great Grand Masti’ were leaked online prior to their release, carrying a censor watermark. While the former still managed to perform well at the box-office, the makers of ‘Great Grand Masti’ lost out on a considerable chunk of their perceived business.
Earlier, on July 15, the Madras High Court had banned 169 service providers from making ‘Kabali’ available illegally online. It had also ordered cable TV operators, buses and taxis to not screen the movie.
Apart from the Rajinikanth’s presence, the film is also garnering a lot of publicity because of the team’s unique marketing strategies, including tie-ups with AirAsia and Airtel among others.
