Shankar’s much-anticipated Telugu film, Game Changer, starring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, hit the big screens on January 10. While fans celebrated the release, the movie faced a serious setback—piracy. Just days after its theatrical debut, a cable TV channel broadcasted a pirated version of the film, prompting police action.
Piracy Strikes Game Changer
A cable TV network in Andhra Pradesh, identified as “AP Local TV,” illegally aired Game Changer soon after its release. This blatant act of piracy sparked outrage among fans and the film’s team. Authorities swiftly responded, with M/S Copyright Safety Systems taking charge to combat the issue. Led by their managing director HV Chalapathi Raju, the company worked closely with the Gajuwaka Police and the Crime Clues Team under the Visakhapatnam Commissionerate.
The illegal broadcast wasn’t just a minor infringement. It represented a significant blow to the filmmakers, who had worked tirelessly on the project. A pirated screening of a film affects not only its box office earnings but also the hard work of everyone involved, from actors to technicians.
Police Crackdown and Arrests
Acting on a complaint filed by the copyright agency, police conducted a raid on the premises of “AP Local TV.” During the operation, they seized broadcasting equipment and other devices used to air the pirated content. The team arrested the channel’s representative, Appala Raju, and registered an FIR (No. 22/2025). Investigations are still ongoing to identify others involved in the operation.
Piracy isn’t a new problem for filmmakers, but incidents like this emphasize the need for stricter action. Many fans and industry members expressed their anger on social media, urging authorities to take stronger measures to protect creative content.
What the Film’s Team Says
Game Changer director Shankar recently spoke about the challenges the film faced. He admitted he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the final cut, revealing the original version was five hours long. However, he expressed gratitude for the love the film has received despite the hurdles.
Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, the lead actors, have not commented directly on the piracy issue. However, their fans have been vocal about supporting the movie and condemning the illegal broadcast. Many urged audiences to watch the film only in theatres and avoid contributing to piracy.
Industry and Audience Reactions
This isn’t the first time a big-budget film has been targeted by piracy, but the incident has sparked fresh debates about protecting creative work. Many in the industry have called for tougher penalties and better systems to prevent such leaks.
Piracy impacts not just the makers but also the audience. When movies are leaked, it takes away the excitement of watching a fresh release on the big screen. Fans of Game Changer hope that such incidents don’t deter the filmmakers and that the movie continues to find success despite the setback.
For now, Game Changer is running in theatres, and supporters are encouraging people to enjoy it the way it was meant to be seen—on the big screen.
