A piece in the Hindu today about the ‘piracy menace’ presents an interesting glimpse into the informality of the networks within which ‘pirates’ operate.
“Sir, it is three-in-one,” said Rasheed, displaying about 100 DVDs in a compartment of the Mumbai–Kanyakumari Express. The the ‘three-in-one’ comprised Mammootty’s Roudram, Mohanlal’s College Kumaran and Suresh Gopi’s Sound of the Boot.
Contrary to claims made by the film industry, pirated VCDs and DVDs sell like hot cakes in the market. The piracy lobby is exploring all possible routes to boost sales. Like Rasheed, hundreds of youngsters are employed to market these DVDs in trains, bus stations and temporary outlets.
I cannot imagine Sony selling original DVDs on trains. A second class train ticket from Hyderabad to Bangalore costs just over Rs.250. By contrast, an original CD/DVD of a mainstram Hollywood film can cost between Rs. 400-600. No market analysis would ever recommend second class passengers as a target consumer group to focus on. And yet in audacious opposition to market analysis, the ‘pirates’ are making good business here.
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