Actor Balakrishna’s latest flick, Dictator, released just over a week ago found itself uploaded on YouTube this week.
To everyone’s surprise, the file was attached to the account of a local TV network. Sources from the network said they had no idea how a pirated copy of a major Tollywood film had found its way to YouTube.
Shocked producers of the film are believed to have fired off calls to the network and the video has been taken down. This comes at a time when the entire Tollywood industry as a whole is fighting piracy.
Dictator released on January 14 as a Sankranthi special and performed well at the box office.
It’s unclear who were responsible for the upload and sources from within the channel said they are investigating the case. Another source claimed the upload was an employee’s handiwork.
Interestingly, the very same Telugu channel had brought the TV rights to telecast the film on their channel. When contacted, Srivaas, director and executive producer of the film, said he woke up to the “shock of his life” on Friday.
“My mobile phone was filled with messages claiming a pirated print of the film was now on YouTube. I immediately spoke to a few people and they deleted the print right away,” Srivaas said.
He added that he is in touch with the production firm EROS, who actually produced the film. “We both have decided to take strict action against the culprits,” says Srivaas.
“The network has responded positively to the complaints and have already started an internal enquiry,” he added.
