Salman Khan’s fans battle piracy: Over 3,000 Sikandar film leaks removed

Mumbai: Salman Khan’s fans are proving their unwavering loyalty in a big way, going beyond the usual show of support at the box office. In a major effort to protect their superstar’s latest release, Sikandar, they have helped remove over 3,000 pirated links of the film from the internet, according to reports.

This massive takedown campaign not only showcases the strength of Salman Khan’s loyal fan base but also highlights the ongoing battle against film piracy in Bollywood.

Released on March 30, 2025, Sikandar marked Salman Khan’s return to the big screen after the massive success of Tiger 3. However, just hours after its release, the film fell victim to pirated film links circulating online. Various high-definition (HD) versions of the action-packed thriller began appearing on notorious piracy websites like Tamilrockers, Movierulz, and Filmyzilla, as well as through Telegram groups. These illegal copies, often sourced from camcorder recordings inside cinemas, were swiftly enhanced and uploaded for illegal movie downloads, posing a significant threat to the film’s box office performance.

Despite ongoing crackdowns and strict anti-piracy laws, piracy remains a persistent issue for Bollywood. The widespread distribution of pirated films, often within hours of their release, has become a growing concern. In Sikandar’s case, the immediate leak of the film across the internet was a serious blow, but the makers of the film and Salman Khan’s loyal supporters weren’t about to let this slide.

A Unified Effort to Tackle Piracy

Salman Khan’s fan clubs, along with the team behind Sikandar, swiftly launched a coordinated campaign to take down the illegal links, said reports.

In an impressive display of unity and dedication, the fans worked hand-in-hand with Sajid Nadiadwala’s production house and the Mumbai Police’s Cyber Cell to get over 3,000 pirated links removed from the internet. According to a report by Mid-Day, the production house flagged over 1,000 accounts connected to the piracy and is actively working with cybersecurity teams and legal experts to protect the film’s integrity.

The immediate response from Salman Khan fans and the legal team behind Sikandar proved the film industry’s commitment to fighting piracy. In a clear show of support for the hard work that goes into filmmaking, the fans went above and beyond to ensure that pirated copies didn’t steal the spotlight from their favorite star’s long-awaited return.

Legal Action and Cybersecurity Measures

But the fight against piracy is not just about taking down links—it’s also about holding those responsible accountable. Sajid Nadiadwala’s production house, along with the star power of Salman Khan, is now working with authorities to pursue legal action against those behind the illegal distribution of the film. The Cyber Cell of the Mumbai Police is actively tracking the IP addresses of individuals involved in the piracy, with the aim of prosecuting those who facilitated the leak, said reports.

In addition to piracy websites, social media platforms and illegal streaming channels have been key areas of focus. Both Salman Khan and Nadiadwala have been collaborating with social media giants and law enforcement to curb the spread of pirated content and prevent further damage to the film’s commercial success.

Piracy’s Ongoing Threat to Bollywood

Piracy remains a significant challenge to Bollywood, with illegal copies of films circulating faster than ever before. The impact of piracy on box office earnings cannot be overstated—films that are widely pirated often see a decline in ticket sales, as audiences opt for illegal downloads or streaming rather than paying for a cinema ticket.

The leak of Sikandar is a stark reminder of the sophistication of modern piracy networks. Despite anti-piracy efforts and cybersecurity measures, pirated versions of films continue to pop up online, often within hours of their official release. The quality of these pirated films is improving as well, with camcorder footage being enhanced into HD versions that are almost indistinguishable from the original, making it all the more difficult to contain.

However, the swift action taken by Salman Khan’s fan clubs, the production team, and the Mumbai Police’s Cyber Cell shows that Bollywood is far from backing down. The collaboration between fans, filmmakers, and law enforcement is setting a new precedent in the fight against piracy, making it clear that piracy will not go unchallenged.