Monkey Man’s release faces piracy issues. Industry criticizes influencers promoting illegal views.
The release of Dev Patel’s Monkey Man has been marred by piracy issues, drawing criticism from industry insiders. Despite initial delays in obtaining clearance from the CBFC, reports of a ban on the film in India were debunked, yet the CBFC members are yet to review it.
Monkey Man premiered internationally on April 5, followed by a rental release on Amazon Prime Video. However, pirated copies quickly proliferated online, prompting efforts by Warner Bros and Universal Pictures to remove illicit links. Despite these efforts, the film is now widely accessible on illegal streaming platforms and apps like Telegram.
What shocked the industry was the involvement of a prominent critic who reviewed the film from an undisclosed source and endorsed its illegal viewing. Additionally, influencers with significant followings openly recommended Monkey Man, citing its unlikelihood of an Indian release.
Industry insiders express disappointment and frustration at the open support for piracy, especially considering the film’s controversial content and potential appeal to Indian audiences. Exhibitors lament the loss of foot traffic to cinemas, attributing it to the widespread availability of pirated copies.
Critics and industry figures facing backlash for promoting illegal viewing of Monkey Man defend their actions, arguing that they are not privy to its official release date in India and are merely catering to audience curiosity. However, film exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi condemns such behavior, emphasizing the criminality of piracy under Indian law and its detrimental impact on the entertainment industry.
Despite ongoing censorship proceedings, Monkey Man’s Indian release remains uncertain. While some remain optimistic about its potential success in theaters, others express concern over the damage caused by piracy and the need for stricter enforcement of anti-piracy measures.
As the industry grapples with the fallout from piracy, the fate of Monkey Man hangs in the balance, with stakeholders anxiously awaiting its official release and hoping to mitigate the damage caused by illegal viewing practices.
