48 hours after 'Dabangg’s' release, 'DNA' buys pirated DVD for Rs50

Watching a newly released Hindi movie was never so easy, as you do not need to go to a theatre, spend money on popcorn, cold drinks and car-parking. The Salman Khan starrer Dabangg was released on September 10, but the next day its pirated DVDs were out in the market, being sold openly at even a busy, over-crowded place like Dadar railway station.

All the buzz and special drives to wipe out piracy by labelling it a crime seem to have not helped Bollywood.

Six newly released Hindi films, including Dabangg, which was released last Friday, are available for only Rs50 at Dadar. The same is the case at Andheri railway station.

DVDs like Karan Johar’s We Are Family, Aamir Khan’s Peepli Live, Neil-Deepika starer Lafangey Parindey, Imran and Sonam’s I Hate Luv Storys, and the low-budget but widely acclaimed Tere Bin Laden were some others easily available. The DVDs are available even in trains, for only Rs30.

Generally, the picture quality of these DVDs is extremely poor. But the vendor said, “At such cheap rates, you will get this quality only.”
He was ready to pay a refund if any of the DVDs that DNA purchased did not work.

“I’m not the stall owner. The real owner has gone out. But don’t worry, bring them back if they do not work. He will refund the money if the DVDs are not fine,” said the vendor.

Deputy commissioner of police (enforcement) Sheela Sahil said that the police force was under pressure for the last few days due to the festive season, but action will be taken against the sale of pirated copies of films.

Senior police inspector Arvind Sawant of the social service branch said the police force was doing its duty.

“Our force has been keeping track of these vendors. We have raided a few places and the raids will continue,” Sawant added.