In a significant crackdown on digital piracy, the South Cyber Police in Mumbai arrested a 26-year-old man from Pune for illegally broadcasting the Hindi film ‘Chhava’. The arrest came on April 10, 2025, following a complaint from Rajat Rahul Haksar, CEO of August Entertainment, which was appointed as an anti-piracy agency by Maddock Films, the producers of the film.
‘Chhava’, directed by Laxman Utekar and released on February 14, 2025, has quickly become the highest-grossing Indian film of the year. However, its success has been marred by rampant piracy. Between February 14 and March 20, 2025, an alarming 1,818 illegal links to the film were circulated across various platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, YouTube, and Google, leading to substantial financial losses for the production companies involved.
The accused, Sagar Manik Randhavan, was identified during a technical investigation that traced the illegal links back to him. Authorities discovered that he had purchased a domain named ‘skymovieshd.tech’ and developed a mobile application under the same name. This app allowed users to illegally stream and download ‘Chhava’ and other recently released films in exchange for payment.
According to the police, Randhavan's application required users to pay before they could download the pirated films, directly violating copyright laws. The legal framework under which he was charged includes multiple sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Copyright Act, the Cinematograph Act, and the Information Technology Act.
“The situation is serious as it not only affects the filmmakers financially but also undermines the integrity of the film industry,” said a police spokesperson. The cyber police’s investigation revealed that the pirated links were not only numerous but also widely disseminated, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current anti-piracy measures in India.
Randhavan was apprehended with the help of local police from Daund and was presented before a holiday court, where he was remanded to police custody until April 13, 2025. Authorities are continuing their investigation and searching for additional individuals connected to this piracy network.
In light of this incident, industry experts are calling for stronger enforcement of copyright laws and more robust measures to combat digital piracy. The financial implications for production houses like Maddock Films and August Entertainment can be devastating, especially for a film that has garnered significant public interest and box office success.
“Piracy is a growing concern in the digital age, and it’s imperative that we take collective action to protect our creative works,” Haksar stated in a recent interview. The film industry has been grappling with the challenges posed by online piracy for years, and while some progress has been made, incidents like this highlight the ongoing struggle.
The arrest of Randhavan marks a crucial step in the fight against digital piracy, but it also serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in the industry. As technology evolves, so do the methods employed by those who seek to exploit creative works for profit.
As the investigation unfolds, the South Cyber Police are expected to provide further updates on their findings and any additional arrests that may arise from this case. The collaboration between law enforcement and industry stakeholders is essential in the ongoing battle against piracy, ensuring that creators are fairly compensated for their work.
With the stakes so high, the film industry is watching closely to see how this case develops and what implications it may have for future anti-piracy efforts. The hope is that this crackdown will deter others from engaging in similar illicit activities and reinforce the message that piracy will not be tolerated.
As filmmakers continue to innovate and create, the need for a safe and secure environment to showcase their work becomes increasingly important. Ensuring that films like ‘Chhava’ can reach audiences without the threat of piracy is vital for the health of the industry.
