The Bombay High Court has stepped in to stop online piracy of the upcoming film Ramayana: Rise of a Legend before its theatrical release. The makers approached the court after parts of the trailer were secretly recorded and leaked online during a private screening. They were worried that the film could also be leaked online once it hits cinemas, so the court has granted an urgent order to protect it.
The court has ordered internet providers and social media companies to block and remove any unauthorised clips, audio or full copies of the movie. Tech companies like Google have agreed to follow the order. Anyone caught uploading or sharing pirated links could face legal action.
To make sure piracy websites cannot find new ways to share the film, the court has issued what is called a “dynamic” order. This means the makers do not have to go back to court every time a new link or website appears. Those links and websites can also be blocked under the same order. The order will remain in place until mid-December, when the court will review the case again.
This is a big relief for the filmmakers, especially since the first part of Ramayana is reportedly being made on a budget of Rs. 2,000 crore. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, with music composed by AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. With so much money involved, the makers will want fans to watch the film in theatres rather than through illegal links.