In recent times, piracy has become a major threat to big-budget films, especially those featuring top stars. It’s not uncommon for high-definition versions of these films to leak online by afternoon on the very day of their release, leaving producers anxious and frustrated. To combat this growing menace, film industries are exploring new preventive measures—one of them being piracy insurance.

According to reports from Mumbai media, Salman Khan’s production team for Sikandar is seriously considering filing a claim worth ₹90 crore, owing to massive losses allegedly caused by piracy. Shockingly, original versions of the film surfaced online even before its official release night, triggering this move.

However, claiming insurance for piracy isn’t as simple as it sounds. Even if a producer has insured the film against such threats, insurance companies do not release payouts blindly. A thorough investigation is conducted to determine how the original content was leaked. Producers are required to submit police investigation reports, detailed production cost data, trade expectations, and ticketing platform trends (like BookMyShow data) to prove that the loss wasn’t due to negligence on their part.

As of now, Sikandar’s team hasn’t formally filed a claim, but the proposal is reportedly under serious consideration. While it’s valid to demand compensation in the wake of a disaster, piracy—often orchestrated by insiders—makes it difficult to identify culprits and prove accountability.

The Telugu film industry has faced similar struggles. Fans still remember how Game Changer suffered due to piracy. Despite producer Bunny Vas’s best efforts, even Tandel couldn’t escape the leak menace.

Going forward, instead of relying solely on insurance, stricter cybersecurity protocols and legal reforms are necessary to safeguard films. Insurance may offer temporary relief, but robust prevention is the real long-term solution.