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ShareBangalore: The film 2012, a science-fiction based on the apocalyptic belief that the world will be hit by a huge natural disaster in 2012, thus signalling the end of life, was one of the most-awaited movies of this year.
While the film, filled with special effects, was supposed to have made for a great viewing in the theatres, the availability of pirated CDs and DVDs at extremely cheap prices, has eaten into the film's business in the city.
About 20,000- 25,000 pirated CDs of 2012 are available in the city every day. And not just the English version, pirated copies of Hindi and Telugu versions are also available in the market. Meanwhile, the Tamil version of the movie is expected to come within couple of days, said a pirated CD seller.
Speaking to DNA, a seller in National Market said that since the past five days, he has been selling not less than 200 CDs of 2012, each day. "Onday one itself, we had the pirated versions with us," he said, on condition of anonymity.
Another seller of pirated CDs near Jayanagar 4th block complex said,"Forget about going to the theatres, people are not even willing to pay Rs40 for a CD with one film. So, along with 2012, our CDs have a couple of other films too." This could be recent Bollywood hits like London Dreams, Tum Mile, Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani, Kurbaan or Hollywood flicks like Vampire's Assistance, Angel of Death, The Twilight etc.
According to Tulasiram Velu of Lahari audios, there are not less than 700 shops in the city and 1,500 roadside sellers who sell pirated CDs. He further added that the Goonda Act, which is supposed to curb the sale of pirated Kannada CDs, has been implemented, yet CD piracy continues to be rampant in Bangalore.
However Sathish Kumar, general manager at PVR Cinemas, said, "Movies like 2012 usually attracts a lot of people to the theatres as these are films with special effects that they would like to watch on big screen." So while a loss of 60-70% would have been likely owing to such rampant piracy, the loss has been limited to around 20-30%.
When DNA spoke to SN Siddaramappa, DCP, city crime branch, he said required action will be taken immediately.
Law flouted as film industry faces loss
The legislation, which can be invoked to counter film piracy in India, is the Copyright Act 1994, India.
India is also a signatory to the two major copyright conventions, such as the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the Universal Copyright Convention.
Copyright protection in films extends to making a copy of the film, taking a photograph of any image forming a apart of the film, selling, giving in hire or offering for sale or hire any copy of the film, irrespective of its earlier sale or hire.
