Pirating CDs - Kerala’s worst crime?
As the Rishiraj singh and Ryan studio saga continues, Kerala film industry decides to boycott Ryan studio. No one yet knows whether Ryan studio did pirate any video cds. But why a boycott without even knowing the full facts?
What prompted me to write this post is comments made by Mammootty at the press meeting. He is saying that we should put people in jail without trial (remember TADA?) for pirating video cds!
Now, let me be clear on one point. I am against any kind of piracy, whether it is piracy of music cd, video cd or software cd. But what Mammootty said is absurd (I thought he was a lawyer before he started acting). Even terrorists who kill dozens of people in India are given due process of law! Mammootty considers people who pirate cds for money worst than terrorists and goondas? I am completely at loss as to the logic of this!
I wrote a post called “Tyranny of the organized - Watch Fee?” recently. A similar tendency is seen in entertainment industry of Kerala as well. If you want to work in film industry or serial industry, you have to join one of the unions (Macta, Amma etc.)! People who work in the entertainment industry are forced to join these organizations.
December 15th, 2006 21:57
Mammooty is edging on 60. He is bound to get confusing.
As far as piracy goes, it is a huge problem. And I can understand the feelings of musicians especially. The film music industry is practically nonexistent and film makers don’t even care much for it now. Because it is not giving in money, though there is a lot of money involved in production of music for films.
It’s not correct to say if good songs are made, people will buy. Even for good albums, only 1/10 of sales is happenning.
As singer Hariharan said, at one time, 35 lakhs of albums were sold and that was considered hit. Now, even selling 5 lakhs is a big issue. Because piracy is so rampant. Even musicians are becoming indifferent to output, as there livelihood has become threatened.
December 15th, 2006 22:08
@kajan
Yes, you are correct. Piracy is a big problem. I have seen latest movie cds doing rounds among friends. Also piracy doesn’t seem to be related to price or the quality of the cd made!
But again, I don’t agree that denying due process of law is the solution to it.