iWorld
‘Den of pirates’: Why OTTs should tackle Telegram soon
KOLKATA: There is no dearth of OTT platforms in India, and which one is the most popular is a matter of debate. But what is very evident is Telegram’s overwhelming popularity as an alternative to providing free access to any new movies or shows launched on these platforms. The wide availability and easy access to pirated shows is making the messaging app more appealing day by day to a section of internet users. Even as OTT platforms burn mounds of cash to roll out premium content, such piracy could eat up a significant revenue going forward.
Soaring popularity of Telegram
Make a list of all recent popular shows or original movies that dropped on streaming services – Scam 1992, Mirzapur Season 2, Ludo, Naxalbari – and you’ll already find every single one of them on Telegram. Students who don’t earn yet but are keen to watch these programmes, thus, go the pocket-friendly way by downloading the Telegram app. And another section of users who have subscription to a few OTT platforms but don’t want to shell out money to watch just one show on a different, unsubscribed platform, use the app as well. Moreover, the simplicity in downloading content both in terms of mechanism, required time and data – unlike Torrent – has made it a den of pirates.
“Telegram is a vast source of VOD content; many groups offer updated content of newly released movies and series, even with subtitles in different languages. We have seen certain titles appear on Telegram within a few hours of release. Pirates are increasingly using such groups as a way to easily share, exchange and sell this content without being exposed to malware prevalent on the dark web,” Synamedia chief intelligence manager-security Ted Rose said.
During a webinar hosted in late October by Indiantelevision.com, SonyLIV technology head Manish Verma also acknowledged that Telegram is evolving as a potential threat. He added that it is very important for the platforms to stop piracy with content acquisition and content production costs increasing – be it for original content or live sports events.
How pirates use the platform
Synamedia’s Rose shared that streaming pirates are increasingly using Telegram groups as a way to distribute links to consumers. In fact, streaming of live events can be found on the messaging app as links that direct users to open internet streaming websites. The app can only share files that are stored on its cloud service or links to other sites.
On the other hand, there are Telegram groups that share stolen M3U links to different subscription-based pirate IPTV networks. These links are updated daily and usually contain information on the content available on each pirate network. Rose went on to share that pirates have taken to Telegram, as well as the dark web, to share and sell OTT subscribers’ stolen credentials.
“It is really a game of cat and mouse. If there are repeated claims of infringement, Telegram will shut down a group. Removal of a channel can be more difficult for a pirate to recover from, although some pirates can pre-empt this by notifying consumers in advance of backup channels they can use should the first group or channel be removed,” he added.
Surge in piracy during Covid2019
With a massive uptick in the use of streaming services during the pandemic, Telegram piracy has also seen a huge surge as well. As sporting events came to a halt in the wake of the crisis, pirates were scrambling for other ways to fill the revenue gap. As a result, OTT providers with premium VOD content and originals emerged as hot targets at that time.
According to data shared by Markscan, a firm that provides digital IP protection to entertainment companies, piracy on telegram skyrocketed by 1092 per cent, or about 11 times, during lockdown.
How can the law help?
Although there are anti-piracy laws in India, it is tough to track the breach happening on Telegram due to encryption. Moreover, it becomes more difficult to take legal steps as the platform itself is legitimate despite the fact that there is pirated content available, according to Kaushik Moitra, partner at Bharucha and Partners.
Moitra explained that Telegram is not under liability to take pirated content off until someone files a complaint. Hence, it is not possible for Indian law enforcement to actively track the infringement. He noted that the onus is on individual OTT platforms to track whether or not any illegitimate link is being circulated on the messaging app so the latter can take it down immediately. However, he mentioned that Telegram will be put on notice if the OTT platforms opt for John Doe order for pre-infringement injunction.
iWorld
Prime Video drops trailer for Lukkhe, a rap crime drama starring KING in his acting debut
Eight episodes of revenge, redemption and hard-hitting rap arrive on the streaming platform on 8th May
MUMBAI: Prime Video has unveiled the trailer for Lukkhe, an eight-episode musical action drama built around the world of rap, crime and bruised relationships — and it has done so in suitably loud fashion, launching it at a live concert in Mumbai featuring electrifying performances by KING, Amira Gill, Akshath, Raashii Khanna, Ruaa Kayy and RUTVXK. As if that were not enough, the show’s music album was also dropped at the event, in collaboration with exclusive music streaming partner Amazon Music and music label Warner Music India.
The series is directed by Himank Gaur and produced by Vipul D. Shah and Rajesh Bahl under the banners of Optimystix Entertainment and White Guerrilla LLP. It is created and executive produced by Agrim Joshi and Debojit Das Purkayastha.
The cast is the talking point. KING, the acclaimed Indian rapper and songwriter, makes his acting debut as MC Badnaam, a performer consumed by rivalry and hunger for recognition. Raashii Khanna, returning to Prime Video after Farzi, plays Gurbani. Palak Tiwari, making her streaming debut, plays Sanober. Lakshvir Singh Saran plays Lucky. The ensemble also includes Nakul Roshan Sahdev, Kritika Bharadwaj, Shivankit Parihar, Yograj Singh and Ayesha Raza Mishra in pivotal roles.
The trailer plants its flag squarely in the tension between MC Badnaam and his rival MC OG, played by Parihar, while threading in the love story between Lucky and Sanober. The soundtrack, which spans hard-hitting rap anthems to emotionally charged melodies, is as much a character in the show as any of its leads.
Gaur was candid about what drew him to the project. “Lukkhe gave me a chance to dive into a world that’s loud, emotional, and constantly on edge,” he said. “What stayed with me was how every character is chasing something personal, and music becomes their way of expressing it. Working with this cast, especially KING in his debut, along with Raashii, Lakshvir, and Palak, was incredibly rewarding because they brought honesty that elevated every moment.”
Khanna reflected on her character with evident relish. “Playing Gurbani in Lukkhe was a really intense and fulfilling experience,” she said. “What I found most interesting was how her strength comes from something deeply personal, which shapes every decision she makes. It was about finding that balance between vulnerability and grit.”
KING, stepping in front of the camera for the first time, was characteristically direct. “Stepping into Lukkhe as MC Badnaam has been a defining moment for me,” he said. “What drew me in was how real his hunger and need to be heard felt. It’s something I connect with as an artist. Bringing music into his journey made the experience even more personal.”
Tiwari described the role as a first on multiple fronts. “It was my first time working with Prime Video, and the whole experience felt new and creatively satisfying,” she said. “Being part of a story that has both intense and heartfelt moments, along with a team that brought so much honesty to it, made this journey truly memorable.”
Saran, for his part, zeroed in on what made Lucky tick. “Lucky is someone who’s trying to move forward while still carrying the weight of his past, and that push-pull made him really interesting to explore,” he said. “There’s a sincerity to his journey that I hope people connect with.”
Lukkhe premieres on Prime Video in Hindi on 8th May, across India and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. In a streaming landscape drowning in crime dramas, this one is betting that putting a rapper at its centre – and meaning it – is enough to cut through the noise. On the evidence of the trailer, it might just be right.
