Prabhas’ The RajaSaab was leaked online within a day of release, with an alleged illegal screening in a US restaurant sparking outrage and renewing calls for stricter anti-piracy measures
A still from The RajaSaab
Prabhas’ much-anticipated film The RajaSaab has landed in controversy just a day after its theatrical release. The horror-comedy, directed by Maruthi, was reportedly leaked online within 24 hours of hitting cinemas, once again highlighting the persistent problem of piracy faced by the film industry.
Illegal screening on TV in US
The issue gained further traction after a video surfaced on social media showing what appeared to be a pirated version of The RajaSaab being played on a television inside a restaurant in the United States. The clip, which was widely shared before being deleted, allegedly showed the film playing openly in a restaurant in Ohio. Reacting to the video, the original poster expressed shock, writing, “Too much ra,” as netizens questioned how such blatant piracy could occur so soon after release.
Sources indicate that the makers promptly approached cybercrime authorities in Hyderabad after discovering that pirated copies of the film were circulating across multiple illegal websites. Police officials have reportedly launched an investigation to trace the source of the leak and identify those responsible for distributing the pirated content online.
The alleged public screening of the film abroad has particularly angered fans and industry insiders. Many took to social media to condemn the act, pointing out that screening pirated content in a public space amounts to a serious copyright violation. One user commented, “Watching pirated films is bad enough, but playing it openly in a restaurant is shocking,” while another added, “This directly hurts the people who worked hard to make the film.”
Sparks major piracy controversy
The controversy comes at a time when authorities have been attempting to crack down on piracy networks. Despite recent arrests linked to illegal streaming platforms, piracy websites continue to leak major releases within hours or days, making enforcement increasingly challenging, especially when operations are run from overseas.
The RajaSaab features Prabhas in a quirky avatar and stars Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar and Zarina Wahab in key roles. While the film opened to strong curiosity among fans, its release has been marred by mixed reviews and now, the piracy scare.
As investigations continue, the incident has reignited conversations around the urgent need for stricter anti-piracy laws and stronger international cooperation. Many within the industry believe that without tougher action, such leaks will continue to threaten box office revenues and undermine the creative ecosystem that sustains big-budget cinema.
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