In a major crackdown on online piracy, a police investigation has been launched after the recent theatrical release of ‘Jolly LLB 3‘ was illegally leaked on a network of rogue applications and websites. The probe, initiated following a complaint filed by JioStar India Pvt. Ltd., has uncovered a sophisticated piracy ring that is estimated to be generating a staggering ₹10 crore to ₹15 crore in illicit revenue every month.
The complaint, filed at the Rajarajeshwari Nagar Police Station in Bengaluru, alleges large-scale piracy of the film, which premiered in theaters on September 19, 2025. According to police sources, the piracy operations involve the use of camcorders in theaters to record the film, which is then uploaded and distributed on subscription-based streaming platforms. The investigation has revealed that these platforms, including popular apps like Castle, FlixFlox, MobMax, and Pikashow, share a common backend infrastructure and use the same UPI handles for payment, which are linked to entities such as Digi Factory And Tech and Audiva FM Pvt. Ltd. The apps collectively have an estimated 50 million downloads, leading to “massive financial losses” for JioStar and the broader film industry.
The police are now moving to seize the linked bank accounts and UPI IDs to cut off the funding for these piracy operations. The complaint has been registered under Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957, which constitutes a cognizable and non-bailable offense. The complaint seeks immediate action against the app owners, operators, and financial facilitators, as well as the immediate blocking of the illegal platforms.
This investigation follows a landmark pre-release injunction issued by the Delhi High Court, which had ordered internet service providers (ISPs), domain name registrars, and government authorities to block dozens of rogue websites to protect the film from piracy even before its release. The film, a legal comedy-drama starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi, has been a hot topic since its theatrical release, with positive reviews and strong box office collections. However, its success has also made it a prime target for illegal distribution, highlighting the persistent challenges of piracy in the Indian entertainment industry.
Key Highlights:
- Police Probe Piracy: Following the leak of the film ‘Jolly LLB 3,’ police have launched a full-scale investigation into a piracy network that is earning ₹10 crore to ₹15 crore per month.
- Widespread Piracy Network: The investigation revealed that rogue apps like Castle, FlixFlox, and Pikashow, with over 50 million collective downloads, are involved in distributing the film, causing significant financial losses.
- Legal Action Underway: A complaint has been registered under the Copyright Act, 1957, with authorities seeking to seize the bank accounts of the operators and block the platforms.
- Previous Anti-Piracy Efforts: The incident occurred despite the Delhi High Court issuing the first-ever pre-release piracy injunction for a Bollywood film, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the fight against online piracy.