Sikandar: IMPPA Condemns Piracy After Film Leaks Online Before Release

The Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) has strongly condemned the piracy of Sikandar, the highly awaited action thriller starring Salman Khan, Rashmika Mandanna, Sharman Joshi, and Kajal Aggarwal. Directed by AR Murugadoss, the film was leaked online in high-definition (HD) just hours before its theatrical release on March 30, 2025. This unexpected leak has led to significant financial losses for the industry.

IMPPA has raised serious concerns over the growing menace of piracy, stating that it remains a major challenge for the film industry. Producers, distributors, and theatre owners continue to suffer due to unauthorized online platforms making films available for free. The association specifically called out certain digital platforms for allowing illegal downloads. "IMPPA has consistently raised concerns about platforms like X and Telegram that facilitate the unauthorized streaming and distribution of films. Despite repeated efforts with the concerned authorities, these platforms continue to operate unchecked, boldly and fearlessly promoting on social media the free availability of these films on their platforms," the association stated, urging stricter action.

IMPPA also emphasized the need for stronger government intervention to prevent such incidents in the future. "The unauthorized release of Sikandar is not just a financial setback; it is an attack on the creative efforts and dedication of the entire film community. We urge all stakeholders, including the Central and State Government, Police and cybercrime agencies, and digital platforms, to work together in strengthening legal frameworks and enforcing stricter anti-piracy measures to prevent such illegal activities in the future."

Apart from addressing authorities, IMPPA appealed directly to audiences, urging them to watch films only through official channels. "We also appeal to audiences to support the film industry by refraining from engaging in piracy. Only through collective action can we safeguard the future of Indian cinema and ensure that filmmakers continue to create and deliver quality content without the fear of unlawful exploitation."

The leak of Sikandar follows a pattern of Bollywood films being targeted by piracy networks. Infamous websites like Tamilrockers, Movierulz, Filmyzilla, and Telegram groups uploaded the full movie online before its official release. Reports indicate that camcorder recordings from theatres were later enhanced to HD quality and widely shared, further intensifying the industry's fight against digital piracy.