Mumbai, India – A recent audit has exposed a staggering ₹91 crore ($10.8 million USD) loss due to the piracy leak of Sikandar, the Salman Khan-starrer action thriller. Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (NGEPL), the film’s producer, is now preparing to file Bollywood’s largest-ever piracy insurance claim.
The film, directed by AR Murugadoss, hit theaters on March 30, 2025, just before Eid. Hours before its release, an HD print surfaced on illegal platforms like Tamilrockers, Movierulz, Filmyzilla, and Telegram groups. The leak, suspected to involve insider sabotage, included uncut scenes and raw audio not in the final theatrical version.
Despite efforts to remove over 3,000 pirated links with help from cyber police and Salman Khan’s fan clubs, the damage was done. Trade analyst Komal Nahta called it “a producer’s worst nightmare,” noting the leak’s rapid spread. The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) condemned the piracy, urging stricter laws.
The audit estimates a 30-40% drop in box office revenue due to the leak. Sikandar earned ₹30.06 crore ($3.6 million USD) in India on its opening day, far below the expected ₹40-45 crore. Globally, it collected ₹54 crore ($6.4 million USD), lagging behind Khan’s earlier hits like Tiger Zinda Hai and Sultan.
NGEPL’s insurance claim aims to recover losses from disrupted theatrical earnings and potential OTT deals. Industry experts say piracy’s ₹22,400 crore ($2.7 billion USD) blow to Indian cinema in 2023 highlights the need for stronger anti-piracy measures. Blockchain-based solutions and encrypted file distribution are being explored to curb future leaks.
