Piracy has become a major problem for the Kannada film industry, leading to widespread concern. During the release of Mark, Kichcha Sudeep openly discussed the harm caused by the illegal sharing of films. Now, Jaggesh has taken a significant step. In an Instagram Live session, he announced that they have identified a person involved in movie piracy and handed him over to the police.
Jaggesh used the live session to explain how piracy quietly drains resources from cinema. He talked about producers who take out loans to make films and the hundreds of technicians and artists whose hard work contributes to every project. “Within minutes of release, the film is stolen,” he said, questioning how long the industry is expected to stay silent. He compared piracy to serious crimes like murder or bank robbery, emphasising that it destroys people's livelihoods.
The actor also reminded viewers that piracy is a crime. Stealing a film can lead to up to three years in jail, he noted, and even sharing pirated links makes one equally guilty. His message was straightforward: Do not steal films. Do not share links. Stop participating in these crimes.
Reports indicate that Kona producer Ravikiran played a crucial role in dismantling this piracy network. The Nandini Layout police have arrested one suspect and are currently questioning him, marking a rare but important effort against digital piracy.
This action follows Sudeep’s previous comments on the subject, where he defended his right to speak out. “Do I not have the authority to protect my own film?” he asked. “If I stand on my platform and warn people, is that wrong?” Sudeep clarified that his message was aimed at those who needed to hear it, not directed at other artists or the entire industry.
Together, these strong statements and actions show a growing determination within Kannada cinema to stop ignoring the issue. Piracy, once seen as unavoidable, is now being addressed and confronted.