Salman Khan’s Sikandar Suffers ₹91 Cr Loss from Pre‑Release Leak
By M Muzamil Shami - June 17, 2025
Lead Summary
Salman Khan’s Eid‑release Sikandar faced a major blow after a high‑definition leak ahead of its theatrical opening, prompting its producer, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment (NGEPL), to file a record-breaking ₹91 crore piracy insurance claim.
What Happened & Financial Impact
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Massive leak: Sikandar was made available on notorious piracy platforms like Tamilrockers, Movierulz, and Filmyzilla just hours before release
₹91 Cr loss estimated: A forensic audit by Ernst & Young analyzed theater occupancy dips and piracy trace data to peg losses at ₹91 crore
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Insurance action planned: NGEPL is set to claim through its digital piracy insurance, marking potentially Bollywood’s largest such claim.
Why This Leak Matters
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Box office setback: With a ₹200 crore production budget, Sikandar grossed ~₹100 crore in India, having lost nearly half its theatrical revenue to piracy
Content integrity compromised: The leaked version included unfinished scenes and raw VFX, betraying its pre-CBFC version and hinting at an inside leak
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Industry ripple effects: Fans and legal teams collaborated—including over 3,000 piracy links were removed with Mumbai Police support
Industry & Legal Fallout
IMPPA Reacts & Crackdown Begins
The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) condemned the leak, urging stronger penalties for platforms like Telegram and social media sites fueling piracy
Cyber Enforcement Mobilizes
Salman’s fan clubs and Mumbai’s Cyber Cell tracked and removed over 3,000 illegal links, signaling a communal fightback
Broader Implications for Bollywood
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Record insurance usage: Large-scale piracy claims might become the norm—as NGEPL leads the charge
Pre-release leaks as existential threats: As digital leak tech advances, future big-budget releases risk opening night casualties.
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Audience trust and revenue erosion: Rogues accessing rough cuts can discourage theater-viewing, compounding financial losses.
FAQs:
Q1: What triggered the ₹91 Cr loss estimate?
A1: An Ernst & Young audit traced the piracy leak’s spread and compared it with box office and occupancy data to calculate estimated losses
Q2: How did fans help fight the leak?
A2: Salman’s fan clubs worked with Mumbai Police’s Cyber Cell to remove over 3,000 illegal links and flag hundreds of piracy accounts
Q3: Did the leak include unfinished scenes?
A3: Yes — leaked versions contained raw VFX and deleted scenes not present in the final film, suggesting a pre-CBFC insider source
Q4: Will NGEPL recover the loss?
A4: Pending insurance coverage approval, this claim may become the largest piracy insurance payout in Indian cinema’s history.
What do you think—should Bollywood make piracy insurance mandatory for big-budget films?
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