‘Tandab’ Takedown: Three Arrested for Piracy of High-Profile Bangladeshi Film
The Cyber Division of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested three individuals in connection with the online piracy of the much-talked-about Bangladeshi film Tandab. The pirated version of the film had been distributed via Telegram and other digital platforms, sparking serious concerns over copyright violations.
The arrested individuals are identified as YouTuber Tipu Sultan, online portal owner Sadi Sad alias Sagar, and cinema hall operator Sajedul Islam.
On Wednesday afternoon, June 18, DB’s Joint Commissioner (South), Mohammad Nasirul Islam, confirmed the arrests at a press conference held at the DMP Media Center in the capital. He stated that the film’s producer, Shahriar Kabir Bhuiyan, filed a case with Banani Police Station after the pirated content was circulated online on June 4 across platforms including YouTube, Telegram, and Facebook. HD versions of the movie were also uploaded to several websites.
According to DB officials, investigators used digital forensics to track and detain the suspects. During interrogation, Sajedul Islam, the cinema hall operator, disclosed the names of other individuals allegedly involved in the piracy ring. Law enforcement agencies are actively working to locate and apprehend those individuals based on the intelligence gathered.
“Initial distribution of the pirated video occurred through a Telegram channel,” said a DB officer. “We are working to identify those operating the channel and their location. All those involved in this crime will be brought to justice.”
According to the case details, Shahriar Karim Bhuiyan (also known as Shahriar Shakil), producer of Tandab, filed a copyright infringement case with Banani Police Station naming Tipu Sultan as the prime accused. Acting on a tip-off, police arrested Tipu near the Mohammadia Hotel area in Maijdee, Noakhali. He hails from Kalikapur village of Ward 4, Jirtoli Union, Begumganj Upazila in Noakhali. Sadi Sad was arrested from Mymensingh, and Sajedul Islam from Savar.
The production house has claimed that all three detainees had connections with one or more cinema halls, and the authorities are trying to determine exactly how the film was pirated.
Tandab, directed by Raihan Rafi, features Shakib Khan and Sabila Noor in lead roles. Acclaimed actress Jaya Ahsan plays a special character in the film, alongside a star-studded cast including FS Nayeem, Afzal Hossain, and Rozina Siddiqui.
