Date: February 10, 2025
Bunny Vas Furious as APSRTC Bus Screens Pirated Version!
Piracy Strikes Tollywood Again: Thandel Leaks Online!
Piracy has been a long-standing issue for Tollywood, and the latest victim is Naga Chaitanya’s highly anticipated film, Thandel. Just like Ram Charan’s Game Changer, the HD print of Thandel surfaced online within 24 hours of its theatrical release. However, what shocked many was the illegal screening of the pirated version in an APSRTC bus in Andhra Pradesh. The incident not only angered movie lovers but also led to a strong reaction from the film’s producer, Bunny Vas.
Bunny Vas Slams APSRTC for Supporting Piracy
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Bunny Vas expressed his disappointment over the unauthorized screening of Thandel in an APSRTC bus, calling it outrageous and illegal.
“We have come to know from @Way2NewsTelugu that an @apsrtc bus (Service No: 3066) played a pirated version of our #Thandel. This is not only illegal and outrageous but also a blatant insult to the countless individuals who worked tirelessly to bring this film to life. The movie is the dream of artists, the director, and the producers.”
He further urged APSRTC Chairman Konakalla Narayana Rao to take strict action and prevent such incidents from happening again.
Bunny Vas Repeated Offense: Game Changer Was Also Pirated
This is not the first time Tollywood films have fallen victim to piracy. Earlier, during the Pongal festival, Ram Charan’s high-budget film, Game Changer, suffered a similar fate.
HD print leaked within a day of release.
A local cable TV channel in Andhra Pradesh aired the pirated version.
Box office collections were severely impacted.
Such incidents pose a major financial threat to the film industry, discouraging producers from making high-budget films.
The Growing Piracy Threat in Tollywood
Movie piracy is a multi-million-dollar problem affecting film industries worldwide. Despite strict anti-piracy laws, unauthorized downloads, screenings, and leaks continue to damage the revenue of filmmakers.
📌 How Piracy Affects Tollywood:
Huge revenue losses for producers and distributors.
Reduced footfalls in theaters, impacting theatrical business.
Demotivation for filmmakers to invest in big-budget films.
Encouragement of illegal content consumption among audiences.
Many Tollywood producers are now demanding stricter regulations and urging the government to take action against piracy networks.
What’s Next? Will APSRTC Take Responsibility?
With Bunny Vas raising his voice against APSRTC, all eyes are now on the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) to see what action they take.
Will they hold employees accountable for screening pirated films? Or will the industry continue to suffer from negligence and lack of strict measures?
Only time will tell. But one thing is certain— piracy is a growing menace, and unless strict action is taken, Tollywood will continue to suffer massive financial losses.
Final Thoughts: Is Piracy Getting Out of Hand?
With back-to-back major films like Game Changer and Thandel getting leaked, it is high time the industry and authorities take piracy more seriously.
🎬 Do you think stricter laws can curb piracy? What should APSRTC do to prevent illegal screenings? Share your thoughts in the comments!