The makers of 'Karuppu', starring Suriya and Trisha Krishnan, have issued a strongly worded legal notice after the film was allegedly screened without authorisation in parts of North India.
The incident, which unfolded just a day ahead of the film's scheduled global release, has sparked serious concerns over piracy, financial loss and a breach of industry protocol.
On Thursday, production house Dream Warrior Pictures shared an official statement on X through their legal counsel, formally addressing the unauthorised theatrical exhibitions that took place. The notice outlines the scale of the production, the nature of the infringement and the legal consequences for circulating leaked content from the film.
Legal notice flags unauthorized KDM activation
In the statement, issued by the lawyer representing Dream Warrior Pictures, the counsel begins by declaring, "I am the legal counsel for Dream Warrior Pictures, the Production House of the Tamil feature film "Karuppu" and I issue this Public Notice under instructions from and on behalf of my client."
The notice stresses the magnitude of the project, noting, "My client is the Producer and copyright owner of the film Karuppu, a high-budget feature film starring Actor Suriya, Trishna Krishnan and others, directed by RJ Balaji and with music composed by Sal Abhyankkar and the film is produced with investments running into several hundreds of crores..."
According to the makers, the unauthorised screenings occurred due to what they describe as illegal and unapproved activation of Key Delivery Messages (KDMs) by Qube Cinema Technologies. This, they state, allowed certain theatres in North India to exhibit the Tamil version of the film without final approval.
The notice reads, "It has come to my client's utmost shock and dismay that due to unauthorized and illegal activation of KDMs by Qube Cinema Technologies, certain theatrical screenings... were unlawfully exhibited in North India..." It further explains that visuals and clips from these screenings were subsequently recorded and circulated online, amplifying the piracy risk.
Public warned of severe legal consequences
The makers also cautioned viewers and social media users against downloading or sharing any leaked material, highlighting that such actions constitute serious offences under multiple Indian laws. The notice states, "It is hereby notified that any downloading, recording, storing, forwarding, sharing, uploading, reposting, transmitting or circulating... constitutes serious offences under the Copyright Act, 1957, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Information Technology Act, 2000."
Reiterating the gravity of the situation, the statement concludes with a strict warning, "The general public is therefore strictly cautioned... Any person found involved in such activities hereafter shall face immediate legal action..."
Producers convene emergency meeting
On Thursday, the Tamil Film Producers Council held an urgent meeting to discuss the breach, attended by senior producers including KE Gnanavel Raja, Kalaipuli S Thanu, T Siva and Kathiresan. After the session, T Siva described the incident as "shocking" and questioned how a film of such scale could be screened without the consent of its producer.
He explained that Qube had reportedly termed it a "human error", but producers have sought a detailed explanation and compensation for the breach.
Film to release today after last-minute setback
Despite the turbulence, 'Karuppu' is set to release globally on 15 May. The film's rollout had been thrown into disarray the previous day, with all shows cancelled due to undisclosed complications.
Later, the makers issued their first detailed public statement following the revised release confirmation, expressing gratitude to fans for their patience throughout what they described as an emotionally draining period. They confirmed the film's runtime of 2 hours and 33 minutes and announced that screenings would commence at 9 am worldwide.
The team acknowledged the anxiety caused by the abrupt postponement and emphasised that the delay had taken a toll on the cast and crew. They highlighted the audience's emotional investment, saying the film now belongs "as much to the audience as it does to the creators."
About 'Karuppu'
The trailer of 'Karuppu' hints at a courtroom-driven drama layered with action and emotional conflict. It follows an elderly man and his granddaughter, long entangled in their pursuit of justice. Trisha Krishnan plays their lawyer, while RJ Balaji appears as the opposing counsel.
Suriya's character enters as a formidable force who battles both inside and beyond the courtroom. The trailer showcases intense action, emotional beats and dramatic confrontations, underscoring the film's thematic depth.
Written and directed by RJ Balaji, the film features a robust supporting cast, including Indrans, Natty, Swasika, Sshivada, Anagha Maya Ravi and Supreeth Reddy. The music is composed by Sai Abhyankkar.