The OTT industry in India has been growing exceptionally fast, which is causing concern for movie producers. Not only have viewers started preferring to watch films at home, but a significant portion of movie fans has stopped going to theaters altogether.
The rise of the OTT industry has become a nightmare for production houses, as these platforms dictate the release schedules of films. With a major chunk of revenue now coming from OTT companies, they are effectively deciding when films should be released, leaving production houses with little control.
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The latest challenge is piracy. While piracy has been a long-standing issue, the emergence of high-quality HD content on OTT platforms has intensified the problem.
Many piracy websites have started acquiring HD prints weeks before official OTT releases. A recent example is the Malayalam film Marco, described as one of the most violent and stylish films in Indian history, which has already become a box office success.
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However, Marco movie has also fallen victim to piracy. Numerous social media posts have circulated, claiming that HD versions of the film have already leaked on torrent sites and other piracy platforms.
Although Netflix acquired the streaming rights for Marco, the early piracy leak is unfortunate, particularly for Netflix.
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It is disheartening and heartbreaking for the producer, buyers, and distributors who invested in the film. Marco continues to perform well at the box office and has made significant noise, especially in the Hindi market. However, the premature appearance of HD prints poses a serious threat to exhibitors, particularly those who hoped to profit from the film.
Piracy continues to drain the efforts of these production houses, as HD leaks emerge soon after theatrical releases.
While many audiences have grown accustomed to waiting for quality OTT releases, these early piracy HD leaks tempt a section of viewers to bypass legitimate options altogether. This not only harms the revenue potential of production houses but also impacts their long-term business model.
Unless strict actions are taken to identify and curb piracy groups responsible for these HD leaks, they will continue to pose a significant threat to the industry.
