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Sikandar`s Setback: Producers Eye Rs. 91 Crore Insurance Claim After Piracy Leak
Updated on: 18 June, 2025 12:59 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Sikandar
The much-anticipated Eid 2025 release, Sikandar, starring Salman Khan and Rashmika Mandanna, was poised for blockbuster success. However, the action-packed entertainer has become a cautionary tale in the film industry, not just for its lukewarm reception at the box office but for an unprecedented piracy blow that has prompted its producers to consider a massive ₹91 crore insurance claim.
Despite high expectations, Sikandar struggled to connect with audiences and critics, managing a domestic box office collection of just over ₹100 crore. While the film`s performance was below projections based on its significant budget, a far more damaging factor was at play. In a severe blow to the filmmakers, a high-definition print of the movie was leaked online the night before its theatrical debut, crippling its earning potential from the outset.
In a move that is being closely watched by the industry, NGE is reportedly preparing to file a substantial insurance claim. According to a source quoted by Bollywood Hungama, "An audit was conducted to gauge the extent of piracy’s impact, and Ernst & Young (EnY) submitted a detailed report estimating the financial damage at ₹91 crore."
This figure was not arbitrary. Insiders revealed that the loss assessment was a meticulous process. It factored in pre-release box office predictions, regional theatre occupancy trends, and the sharp decline in revenue that followed the leak. Advanced digital tracking systems were deployed to trace illegal downloads and streaming data, providing concrete evidence of the piracy`s vast scale.
Also Read: Sikandar Tickets Sell For Blockbuster Rates, Reach Rs. 2,200 in Some Theaters
As Sikandar transitions to its OTT streaming run, the industry is left to ponder the ramifications. Whether NGE proceeds with the full insurance claim is yet to be confirmed, but the situation has ignited a critical conversation around content security. The outcome of this case could establish a significant precedent for how Bollywood addresses and financially safeguards itself against the ever-growing threat of digital piracy.
Despite high expectations, Sikandar struggled to connect with audiences and critics, managing a domestic box office collection of just over ₹100 crore. While the film`s performance was below projections based on its significant budget, a far more damaging factor was at play. In a severe blow to the filmmakers, a high-definition print of the movie was leaked online the night before its theatrical debut, crippling its earning potential from the outset.
The Unprecedented Leak and Financial Fallout
What distinguished this leak from typical piracy was the quality of the circulated copy. It wasn`t a cam-recorded version from a theatre; instead, a crystal-clear HD print was made available on illicit websites. This prompted Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment (NGE), the production house behind the film, to take action.In a move that is being closely watched by the industry, NGE is reportedly preparing to file a substantial insurance claim. According to a source quoted by Bollywood Hungama, "An audit was conducted to gauge the extent of piracy’s impact, and Ernst & Young (EnY) submitted a detailed report estimating the financial damage at ₹91 crore."
This figure was not arbitrary. Insiders revealed that the loss assessment was a meticulous process. It factored in pre-release box office predictions, regional theatre occupancy trends, and the sharp decline in revenue that followed the leak. Advanced digital tracking systems were deployed to trace illegal downloads and streaming data, providing concrete evidence of the piracy`s vast scale.
Also Read: Sikandar Tickets Sell For Blockbuster Rates, Reach Rs. 2,200 in Some Theaters
A Telltale Leak with Unreleased Scenes
Intriguingly, the pirated version of Sikandar offered a different viewing experience from the official theatrical cut. It reportedly contained scenes with unrefined visual effects and included footage that had been edited out of the final version. These deleted scenes included moments like medical students meeting Sikandar in Dharavi and an emotional conversation where he learns of Rashmika Mandanna`s character`s dream to become a lawyer. The presence of such content strongly suggests the leak originated from an internal source after the film had received its clearance from the Censor Board.As Sikandar transitions to its OTT streaming run, the industry is left to ponder the ramifications. Whether NGE proceeds with the full insurance claim is yet to be confirmed, but the situation has ignited a critical conversation around content security. The outcome of this case could establish a significant precedent for how Bollywood addresses and financially safeguards itself against the ever-growing threat of digital piracy.
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