Thella Kaagitham leaked online days before release, makers vow legal action

Telugu film Thella Kaagitham has run into a piracy problem just days before it reaches theatres. Footage from the film, with Harsh Roshan and Nakshatra as its lead pair, surfaced on social media this week without the makers' permission. The film is due out in a couple of days, with the release reportedly slated for 2 October.

Reports differ on how much of the film has escaped. Some say a key romantic scene featuring the two leads is what went around online, while others claim the entire movie has been leaked. Either way, the team is said to be alarmed at how the material reached the public before the film's first show.

The producers are working to get the pirated content pulled down from social media and are pursuing legal action against those behind the leak. According to reports, a police complaint has also been filed over the leaked scene. The team is reportedly also trying to trace where the unauthorised copy came from.

The makers put out a statement asking the public to stay away from the footage. "We request not to download, post or share, promote any leaked content. We also strongly condemn the illegal circulation," the statement read. The leaked scene has reportedly set off a wave of trolling aimed at the actors online, adding to the team's worries.

Thella Kaagitham is a low budget youthful romantic drama set against a 2000 backdrop. Reports say the story is drawn from real events about teenage lovers and what their romance cost them.

The film marks the directorial debut of Ramesh Bandreddi, reports say, with Nandu Savirigana credited for the story, screenplay and dialogues. Deepak, Ajay and Goparaju Ramana appear in supporting roles. Krishna Kommalapati is producing under the Arunachala Creations banner.