Hyderabad: How an AC mechanic earned over Rs 40 lakh in cryptocurrency by watching 40 films in 1.5 years

A 29-year-old air-conditioner mechanic from Hyderabad was arrested for allegedly running a high-tech movie piracy racket that leaked over 40 films. The accused, Jana Kiran Kumar, was caught during a joint operation by the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) anti-piracy cell and the cybercrime police. He was reportedly caught while recording inside a theatre, marking the first such case in the city.

Secret operation behind movie leaks

Kiran, a resident of Vanasthalipuram, worked as an AC technician during the day and operated the piracy racket by night. Over 18 months, he is said to have earned more than Rs 40 lakh in cryptocurrency by recording and leaking newly released films.

Targeted low-crowd cinemas using booking data

During questioning, Kiran admitted to choosing theatres based on the occupancy data available on the BookMyShow app. “The emptier the theatre, the better my chances of going unnoticed,” he reportedly told police. This allowed him to carry out the recordings without drawing attention.


Officials said Kiran recorded films from multiple cinema halls across Hyderabad. In total, he leaked at least 40 movies. His arrest is being seen as a significant breakthrough in tackling movie piracy in the region.