You’ve probably heard of movie piracy and the serious issues it causes for the film industry. It’s no secret that, just hours after a new movie hits theatres, it often gets leaked online. One of the biggest culprits behind this is Tamil Rockers, a piracy website famous for sharing films almost immediately after their release. This has resulted in huge financial losses for filmmakers. While authorities continue to battle this illegal activity, a recent confession by one of Tamil Rockers’ admins, Jeb Stephen Raj, has given us a shocking look at how these operations actually work.
Raj was arrested in July during a police operation in Thiruvananthapuram, and his capture has brought to light some crazy details. Found with a mobile phone hidden in a cup holder, he was caught filming actor Dhanush’s 50th film, Raayan, in a theatre.
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Raj’s confession exposed the inner workings of Tamil Rockers and its network. He explained how he and his team would buy multiple tickets for the first show of a new movie, picking the best seats in the middle. They used hidden cameras, sometimes tucked under blankets, to record the entire film. This operation was not a small-time effort—Tamil Rockers targeted theatres across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, quickly distributing the pirated copies online.
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The impact of Tamil Rockers on the film industry has been devastating. The site is responsible for leaking big-budget films within hours of their release, making it easy for people to watch them for free rather than paying for a ticket. This not only hurts box office revenue but also discourages filmmakers from taking risks with new projects. Despite numerous attempts to shut it down, Tamil Rockers has managed to evade authorities by constantly changing its URLs and using a vast network of operatives to stay one step ahead.
Even after Raj’s arrest, piracy continued. For example, the much-anticipated film Vettaiyan, starring Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan, was leaked online on its release day. As the fight against piracy continues, it’s clear that Tamil Rockers’ grip on the market is still a significant challenge for the industry.