In a significant victory against digital content theft, the Hyderabad Cybercrime Police have successfully dismantled an extensive movie piracy network. This massive operation led to the arrest of five primary suspects, with notices issued to five other individuals involved in the illicit distribution of copyrighted films.
According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand, the sophisticated racket extended its operations across several Indian states. The group was identified as being behind the piracy of numerous high-profile Telugu film releases, such as ‘HIT: The Third Case’, ‘#Single’, ‘Kuberaa’, and ‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu’. These illegally obtained films were then uploaded to well-known piracy websites, causing substantial losses to the film industry.
The comprehensive investigation was launched on June 5, 2025, after the Anti-Video Piracy Cell of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) filed a complaint. Their report detailed that two films, ‘#Single’ and ‘HIT: The Third Case’, were unlawfully leaked online on their respective release dates. Subsequently, another complaint was registered when the movie ‘Kuberaa’ also fell victim to similar pirating activities shortly after its theatrical debut. In response to these incidents, legal cases were promptly registered under various stringent laws, including provisions of the IT Act, the Copyright Act, and the Cinematograph Act, underscoring the severity of the offenses.
The intensive probe, conducted between June and August, led to the identification and apprehension of five main culprits. These individuals include Ashwani Kumar from Bihar, who was identified as the mastermind behind the operation, responsible for hacking into digital media company servers to steal high-definition film copies. Cyril Infant Raj from Tamil Nadu was arrested for allegedly managing various piracy websites and illegally accumulating approximately ₹2 crore in cryptocurrency since 2020. Hyderabad-based Jana Kiran Kumar was implicated for covertly recording over 100 films in theaters using a hidden mobile phone. Sudhakaran from Erode confessed to camcording 35 South Indian films. Lastly, Arsalan Ahmed was apprehended for uploading pirated movies to various file-sharing platforms and facilitating their distribution via Telegram channels.
Commissioner Anand issued a stark warning, emphasizing that ‘piracy is not simply free content.’ He elaborated that it frequently serves as a deceptive lure employed by cybercriminals to disseminate malware, illicitly acquire personal data, and perpetrate online fraudulent activities.
The Commissioner further detailed the sophisticated methods used by the piracy group to evade detection. They leveraged encrypted Telegram channels, utilized virtual private servers located in foreign countries, and conducted financial transactions exclusively through cryptocurrency. Notably, the pirated content was also promoted by various online gaming and betting websites, which provided funding to the network in exchange for advertising placements. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) played a crucial role in the investigation by effectively tracing cryptocurrency wallets associated with the racket. The operation resulted in the seizure of numerous electronic devices, including laptops, hard drives, and mobile phones, providing vital evidence.
Mr. Anand hailed this breakthrough as one of the nation’s most impactful anti-piracy operations to date. He highlighted that the illicit network’s reach extended far beyond Telugu cinema, targeting films from Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bollywood, and Hollywood. In light of this, he strongly urged stakeholders across the film industry – including digital media companies, theater owners, and internet service providers – to implement more robust safeguards to prevent future leaks and illegal camcording.
Concluding their efforts, the Cybercrime Police issued a public advisory, reiterating that movie piracy is a grave criminal offense. They reminded citizens that engagement in such activities can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to three years and a substantial fine of up to ₹2 lakh.