The Centre’s crackdown on websites and Telegram channels allegedly hosting or distributing copyright-infringing content has given a major push to the anti-piracy campaign by the Malayalam film industry.
The action against digital piracy received a shot in the arm after the Union government blocked around 1, 263 websites and over 4, 900 Telegram channels for facilitating copyright-infringing content that included pirated copies of films. The action taken was conveyed by Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to Suresh Gopi, actor and MP in a letter dated July 22, 2026.
Mr. Gopi, who had held several rounds of discussions with the representatives of the South Indian Film Producers’ Association (SIFPA) on the issue, had sought the intervention of the Centre in acting tough against the violators. The latest action was initiated under the provisions of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023.
The Minister’s reply stated that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has acted on complaints by intermediaries to disable about 7, 397 URLs, including 1, 263 websites and 4, 996 Telegram channels that were allegedly involved in hosting or distributing infringing content.
Mr. Gopi said that there will be no compromise on the crackdown against digital piracy as it remains a major challenge facing the Indian film industry. He said that the producers have to be provided with all support against movie piracy as the industry depended on the investments made by them for its survival.
Major relief, says G. Suresh Kumar
G. Suresh Kumar, senior producer who had attended the meetings of SIFPA as a representative of the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA), termed the Centre’s crackdown on digital piracy as “a major relief” for the industry.
“With the authorities blocking hundreds of websites and Telegram channels, we hope that the illegal duplication and distribution of movies will come down considerably. The after-effects of the Centre’s action seem to be emerging, as it would have helped in preventing distribution of pirated versions of the movie I, Nobody that reached cinemas in the second week of July”, he said.
As per the estimates by KFPA, the Malayalam film industry had incurred losses running to crores owing to digital piracy over the last several years. “On an average, a movie having a potential to garner a profit of around 10 crore would suffer nearly ₹2 crore on account of piracy,” said M. Renjith, senior producer and former president of KFPA.
He recalled an incident in which the visuals of a suspected pirated version of the super-hit Malayalam movie Thudarum, bankrolled by his production house was played on a tourist bus operating services in Kerala on May 5, 2025.
Mr. Renjith, who filed a complaint before the cyber wing of the Kerala Police, said that the preliminary probe revealed that a person on the bus had the pirated version and it was played on the screen installed in the vehicle. There were over 20 persons travelling on the bus. “People were happily watching the pirated version of the movie without thinking about its legal consequences,” he said.
B. Rakesh, president of KFPA, said that the producers of the movie I, Nobody had secured a ‘John Doe’ (’Ashok Kumar’) order [ex parte injunctions ordered against unknown persons] from the Madras High Court ahead of its release.
It prohibited all forms of copyright infringement, including unauthorised camcording, recording, copying, uploading, broadcasting, distribution and sharing of the film, he said. The order also barred individuals from recording the movie illegally during theatrical screenings, preview shows and promotional screenings.
“We have been regularly updating our members to deploy all available options to curb piracy, including the option to secure a John Doe order from the courts,” he said.
The Kerala government has also ensured support to the efforts to crackdown on movie piracy. The Revised State Budget for 2026-27 presented by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, who also holds the Finance portfolio, on June 19, 2026 had earmarked a total allocation of ₹100 crore for various initiatives to support the Malayalam cinema, including formation of robust anti-piracy cells.
Published – July 30, 2026 11:35 am IST
