Indian Police Pinpoint Seat of Movie Camming Pirate by Analyzing the Film Angle

Indian police have intensified efforts to combat movie piracy, particularly the practice known as "camming," which involves recording films in theaters. This activity was criminalized in India last year, with offenders facing up to three years in prison. Recently, a 33-year-old suspect, Jebe Stephan Raj, was arrested while attempting to record a film at the Ariesplex cinema in Thiruvananthapuram. The investigation began in May when the producer of the film "Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil" reported its illegal upload shortly after its premiere. Using forensic watermarks, police identified the cinema and the specific recording angle, which allowed them to triangulate potential seating locations.

Despite the lack of CCTV footage, investigators cross-referenced ticketing data linked to a phone number associated with the suspect. They monitored the number until it was used to book tickets for another premiere, leading to Raj's arrest. He was found with an iPhone 15 mounted on a tripod, and he confessed to recording multiple films for payment. While some reports suggest he may be linked to the notorious pirate site TamilRockers, police believe he was likely hired to record films for a fee of approximately $60 each. The case highlights the ongoing challenges of enforcing anti-piracy laws in a country with a high rate of film piracy, despite recent legislative efforts to deter such activities.