Piracy has troubled the Indian film industry for years, but the arrest of iBomma and Bappam founder Immadi Ravi has finally given Tollywood some relief.
What Happened:
iBomma grew into one of the most organised piracy networks, leaking South Indian films and OTT content within hours of release. The operation was spread across Hyderabad, Dubai, the Netherlands and Myanmar, which made it harder to trace.
The impact was severe. The Indian film industry reportedly lost Rs 22,400 crore in 2023. Tollywood alone lost about Rs 3,700 crore in 2024, and iBomma was a major contributor.
After months of tracking, the TFCC and Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police booked 65 mirror sites linked to the group. The key breakthrough came when founder Immadi Ravi was arrested at Hyderabad airport after returning from France.
Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, SS Rajamouli and Dil Raju met Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar to appreciate the action. Police later revealed that Ravi had stored the personal details of millions of users, creating a serious privacy concern.
Shocking Findings:
Police seized a hard disk with 21,000 pirated films and data of nearly 5 million users. Several devices, cheque books and debit cards were also recovered. Ravi’s bank accounts with about Rs 3 crore were frozen. During questioning, he admitted earning “hundreds of crores” through piracy.
More than 65 mirror sites were taken down, delivering a major blow to the network. Producers estimate total losses due to piracy at around Rs 24,000 crore.
What Happens to the User Data:
The seized database is now a central part of the investigation. Cybercrime teams are checking how the data was collected, whether it was shared and how it may have been misused.
Users are at risk of spam, targeted scams, fraud and malware because their personal details and browsing patterns were recorded without consent.
The data will also help police trace offshore partners, follow money trails and identify more members involved in the piracy chain.
Why This Matters:
Piracy does not only harm the film industry. It also puts users in danger. Illegal websites often track devices, collect personal information and expose visitors to scams. The safest way to protect yourself and support filmmakers is to watch content only on legal platforms.