In a move to combat online piracy, the Madras High Court has issued an interim injunction against 36 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in India, preventing them from streaming pirated versions of the highly anticipated Tamil film, "Coolie," starring Rajinikanth. The film, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, is scheduled to be released on August 14, 2025.
The decision by Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy came in response to a civil suit filed by Sun TV Network Limited, the production house behind "Coolie," citing the risk of copyright infringement and potential financial losses. The court emphasized that unauthorized streaming of the film before its official release would cause "irreparable injury" to the producers and cast.
The court order directs the ISPs to block not only existing piracy-linked sites but also any that might emerge in the future attempting to host the film illegally. This proactive measure aims to prevent the dissemination of pirated copies and protect the film's box office success. The injunction also targets five cable operators in Chennai, including Action Lane, JAK Communications, C32 Cable Net, Thamizhaga Cable TV, and Thiru Nagar Satellite Vision, ensuring enforcement at the ground level.
"Coolie" has generated significant buzz and has broken pre-release booking records, with fans eagerly anticipating its release. The film also stars Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, Nagarjuna Akkineni, and Aamir Khan in significant roles. This film also represents Rajinikanth's inaugural collaboration with Kanagaraj, a director known for his flawless success rate at the box office.
The Madras High Court's action underscores the crucial role ISPs play in fighting digital piracy and upholding intellectual property rights. By ordering ISPs to preemptively block access to websites streaming pirated content, the court aims to close loopholes and prevent financial losses to the film industry. Streaming platforms and download sites have become increasingly agile in recent years, creating mirror domains and spoofed URLs to undermine anti-piracy efforts. The court's decision is a step towards combating these strategies and ensuring the financial stability of the entertainment sector.
