Hyderabad: Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have arrested one Jana Kiran Kumar, an AC technician from NGOs Colony in Vanasthalipuram, Ranga Reddy district, for running a movie piracy operation that leaked nearly 40 Telugu films over the past 18 months. Originally from East Godavari, the accused was found to have systematically collaborated with piracy networks such as 1TamilMV through Telegram and cryptocurrency channels.
The arrest followed a complaint on June 5 by Yarra Manindra Babu of the Anti-Video Piracy Cell of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC), who reported that the Telugu film #Single, released on May 9, was illegally circulated online on its opening day. Pirated HD copies surfaced on piracy platforms including 1TamilBlasters, 5MoviezRulz, and 1TamilMV, with forensic checks indicating a theatre leak. TFCC estimated piracy losses to the Telugu industry at ₹3,700 crore in 2024 alone.
Investigators found that Kumar approached the piracy network through a Proton Mail address and then moved conversations to Telegram to avoid detection. Under an arrangement offering USD 300–400 per film, paid in cryptocurrency, he recorded movies covertly using a phone hidden in his shirt pocket. Films leaked included Pellikani Prasad, 14 Days Love, Thandel, Game On, Kismat, and Rajadhani Files.
He booked online tickets, filmed the screenings, and shared pirated files over Telegram, receiving payments in Bitcoin, which he converted into rupees using platforms like ZebPay and Coin DCX.
Two mobile phones used in the operation were seized. The case was cracked by a cyber crime team led by Inspector S. Naresh, along with SI Manmohan Goud, HC Md Feroz, Rakesh Sagar, and Thirumalesh.
Police reminded the public that recording or distributing pirated films is a serious crime under the Copyright Act, 1957, and the Cinematograph Act, carrying penalties of imprisonment for up to three years and fines up to ₹1 lakh, with further daily fines if the offence continues. Additional provisions under the BNS and related acts can even carry sentences up to 10 years.
Officials appealed to citizens not to engage in piracy and to report any suspicious activity to local police or cyber crime authorities.
