Hindi
‘Kites‘ future uncertain in Karnataka
BANGALORE: The much awaited Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kites faces an uncertain future in Karnataka, with the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) asking the exhibitors not to screen the movie in the state.
Reliance Big Pictures, distributor of Kites, has raised the ire of the apex film body by releasing more than the permitted number of prints of the film in the state. According to the rules of the KFCC, other language films can release only 21 prints of the film in the state.
As a special case, Reliance Big had been permitted to screen the film in 24 theaters in Karnataka. However, KFCC says that Reliance Big has released more than 45 prints in just South Karnataka alone. Reports allege that approximately 90 plus prints of the movie have been circulated in Karnataka.
Some theaters have withdrawn Kannada films to make room for the screening of Kites and the Chamber fears that the box office performance of some of the running Kannada films and those to be released soon would be affected by the release of Kites in the state. Also, two Kannada films that were slated for release today in the state have no theaters, claim industry sources.
Reportedly, the KFCC has demanded compensation from Reliance Big for the losses incurred and has demanded an undertaking that Reliance Big will not repeat this in future.
Also, reportedly, KFCC has threatened not to release any films in the theaters that release Kites in the state.
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Hindi
Dhurandhar 2 hit by YouTube leak amid record box office run
Cam-rip surfaces online but blockbuster streak continues at record pace
MUMBAI: It has been a dramatic week for Dhurandhar: The Revenge. Even as the espionage thriller smashes box office records, a piracy scare briefly threatened to steal its thunder after a full-length version surfaced on YouTube.
The leak emerged on March 30 via a channel titled “A2z movie”, which uploaded what appeared to be a cam-recorded print of the film. Clocking in at nearly three hours and 49 minutes, the footage was reportedly blurry but complete enough to spark spoilers and fan outrage online.
Soon after, users on X began flagging the issue, explicitly naming the “A2z movie” channel in their posts while tagging the film’s makers and urging swift legal action. Fans of director Aditya Dhar and lead star Ranveer Singh were particularly vocal, helping the issue gain rapid traction.
Within hours, the video was taken down, likely through a mix of platform detection systems and intervention by producers Jio Studios and B62 Studios.
Despite the leak, the film’s theatrical run remains virtually unshaken. As of March 31, the sequel has raked in an estimated Rs 872.17 crore net in India, with worldwide collections soaring to Rs 1,392.23 crore. Its Hindi opening day alone brought in Rs 102.55 crore, setting a new benchmark.
In a notable milestone, the film has matched Pushpa 2 as the fastest Indian release to cross the Rs 1,000 crore mark globally, achieving the feat in just seven days.
Interestingly, the version leaked online is believed to be an earlier cut. Midway through its theatrical run, the makers issued revised prints after eagle-eyed viewers spotted a fleeting editing error involving a cameraman’s reflection. The corrected version now plays across cinemas, adding an unusual twist to the film’s release journey.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the high-stakes sequel stars Ranveer Singh alongside Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun. The film has drawn praise for its scale and action sequences, though some critics have pointed to its intense violence and layered political themes.
For now, piracy may have made noise, but it has not slowed the juggernaut. If anything, the episode underlines the film’s cultural grip, proving that even a leak cannot derail a box office storm already in full force.
