Chennai: The makers of the upcoming film Karuppu have issued a public notice warning against alleged unlawful screenings and circulation of the film in parts of North India amid ongoing release delays and financial disputes.
The statement comes at a time when the film, starring Suriya and Trisha Krishnan, has been facing multiple disruptions in its theatrical rollout, with several shows reportedly cancelled and others allegedly screened without full authorisation.
The production house has cautioned that any unauthorised recording, sharing or distribution of the film’s content will invite strict legal action under existing copyright and cyber laws.
Makers flag unauthorised KDM activation issue
The controversy escalated after the production team alleged “unauthorised and illegal activation of KDMs” (Key Delivery Messages), which are used to securely distribute digital cinema content to theatres.
According to the legal notice issued by the makers, certain theatres in North India allegedly screened the Tamil version of Karuppu without final approval from the producers.
The production banner, Dream Warrior Pictures, through its legal counsel Advocate Vijayan Subramanian, stated that the film is a high-investment project made with several hundreds of crores and intended for a wide global release across multiple countries and thousands of screens.
The notice further claimed that due to the alleged unauthorised screenings, portions of the film may have been recorded and circulated on social media platforms.
Strict warning against piracy and circulation
The makers have issued a strong warning to the public against downloading or sharing any leaked content from the film. They stated that such actions would be considered serious violations under multiple Indian laws.
The legal notice specifically mentioned the Copyright Act, 1957, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, stating that offenders could face both civil and criminal proceedings.
The statement also listed platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and torrent websites, cautioning that sharing content through any medium would be treated as copyright infringement.
The production team has urged audiences to avoid engaging in any form of unauthorised access, recording or distribution of the film.
Screenings disrupted amid financial hurdles
The issue first came to light when early morning shows of Karuppu scheduled at 9 am were suddenly cancelled. Subsequently, afternoon, evening and night shows were also reportedly called off at multiple locations.
The makers have acknowledged that the film is currently facing financial challenges, which have affected its smooth theatrical release. However, they have expressed confidence that the issues will be resolved soon to ensure a proper worldwide release.
The situation has created confusion among exhibitors and audiences, particularly in regions where screenings were already scheduled or partially initiated.
Director RJ Balaji apologises to fans
In the midst of the ongoing controversy, director RJ Balaji addressed fans in an emotional video message. He reportedly broke down while speaking in theatres and apologised for the disruption surrounding the film’s release.
His statement highlighted the difficulties faced by the team and assured audiences that efforts were being made to resolve the situation at the earliest.
The production team has reiterated that Karuppu remains a major theatrical project with significant investment and international release plans, and any unauthorised circulation of its content could impact both its commercial and creative value.
As the dispute continues, industry observers are closely watching how the legal and financial issues surrounding the film’s release will be resolved in the coming days.