Raid exposes video piracy racket in Mumbai suburb

Raid exposes video piracy racket in Mumbai suburb

MUMBAI: A raid carried out on CD Town store in the Mumbai suburb of Bhayender East, had Shemaroo's anti-piracy team, with the help of local police, nab Venkatesh Rao, who produces and distributes pirated VCDs and DVDs in Mumbai's suburbs.

Ironically, Venkatesh's uncle Shetty, happens to be attached to the Copyright enforcement team.Venkatesh apparently never had the fear of a raid because of his uncle's profession. It took days of persuasion and dedication from Shemaroo's anti-piracy team headed by Gyanchand Maroo, to nab the culprit.

Shemaroo says that for the video industry, which is reeling under 80 per cent piracy, it comes as a major shock. An insider being hand-in-glove with video pirates is being seen as a setback.

Over 3,500 VCDs, 500 DVDs, 200 blue films and 7,000 new movie covers (inlays) were seized. A television and a couple of VCRs were also seized and the culprit was taken into custody.

Shemaroo VP Hiren Gada, said, "Only cooperation from the public and awareness about piracy eating into the roots of our country through terrorism will tip a change slowly and steadily. Until then, Shemaroo will keep trying to fight this menace with all means possible."

Meanwhile, Shemaroo Video has released the Balaji Films' production Koi Aap Sa on VCD and DVD. The film stars Aftab Shivdasani, Natashaa, Dipannita Sharma and Himanshu Malik.