The Ram Charan and Kiara Advani-starrer Game Changer has fallen victim to piracy less than a week after its theatrical release. In a shocking development, a pirated version of the political thriller was reportedly aired on local cable channels and buses, with screenshots of the illegal broadcast circulating online. Producer Sreenivas Kumar, popularly known as SKN, has strongly condemned the leak and urged for decisive action to curb such acts.
Taking to his X account, SKN expressed his outrage, emphasizing the collective effort behind a film’s creation. “Cinema is not just about the hero, director, or producers – it’s the result of 3-4 years of hard work, dedication, and the dreams of thousands of people,” he wrote. He highlighted the financial impact piracy has on distributors and exhibitors, whose livelihoods depend on a film’s success, and called for unity and government intervention to protect the film industry. Using the hashtag #SaveTheCinema, SKN implored stakeholders to stand firm against piracy.
Game Changer, which released on January 10, has earned over ₹100 crores at the Indian box office, despite receiving mixed reviews. The film’s momentum has been affected by the leak, with an HD version and key plot details surfacing online even before its release. Producer Dil Raju has already filed a complaint with cyber police after pirates allegedly attempted to extort money in exchange for withholding the leak.
The incident has reignited discussions about the urgent need for stricter measures against piracy, which continues to plague the entertainment industry and threaten the sustainability of cinema.
