Pushpa 2 falls Victim to Piracy & Illegal Screenings

Just hours after its release on December 5, 2024, Pushpa 2: The Rule has fallen victim to piracy.

The film, which was expected to dominate the box office, has already been leaked in high-definition versions on several notorious piracy websites.

Additional piracy hubs have also joined in hosting the movie, raising fears over its potential impact on box office performance.

Directed by Sukumar and starring Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna, Pushpa 2 still has the potential for a solid theatrical run.

However, the piracy issue is proving to be a major obstacle.

Adding to the controversy, Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha has taken action against theatres screening the film without adhering to the proper regulations.

It was reported that some cinemas were starting screenings as early as 3 am, before the legally allowed time of 6:30 am.

Jagadeesha issued a notice threatening serious action against 42 theatres for violating the Karnataka Cinema Regulation Act.

It prohibits screenings before the designated time.

The local authorities have also targeted inflated ticket prices, with some theatres charging between Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500 for tickets.

This is another violation that has prompted further legal action.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck at the premiere of Pushpa 2 when a stampede occurred at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad.

It led to the death of a 35-year-old woman and left her 13-year-old son critically injured.

The chaos erupted as a large crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun, who made a surprise appearance at the event.

As fans surged forward to see the star, the crowd’s momentum led to a stampede-like situation.

The police have registered a case against Allu Arjun, the movie’s production unit, the theatre’s owner, and the actor’s security team.

The Hyderabad Deputy Commissioner of the Police stated:

“There was no intimation from the side of the theatre management or actors team that they would be visiting the theatre.

“The theatre management did not make any additional provisions regarding security to manage the crowd.”

“Nor was there any separate entry or exit for the actors’ team though the theatre management had information about their arrival.”

Charges have been filed under Section 105 of the Indian Penal Code, with authorities now investigating the incident.

While Pushpa 2 remains a film with immense potential, the combination of piracy, regulatory violations, and the tragic stampede has cast a shadow.

Fans and industry insiders will be closely watching how these challenges impact the movie’s box office performance in the coming days.