Film piracy emerges as growing concern in Bhutan

2026-03-22 - 10:42

The illegal recording of films is emerging as a serious concern in Bhutan. A Bhutanese movie recently fell victim to two separate piracy incidents within days of its release. Filmmakers say this highlights the urgent need for stronger awareness and enforcement of copyright laws. One of the incidents took place inside a theatre hall in Thimphu last week. What should have been a routine screening of the movie “Pindarikaa” turned into a case of copyright violation. A man in his twenties was caught filming the movie on his phone. By the time he was stopped, nearly an hour of the movie had already been captured. BBS found out that the man was unaware that recording a film inside a cinema hall is illegal. He expressed regret over his actions. In a similar incident in Paro on Friday, a minor was also found recording the movie during its screening in the district. She had managed to film close to an hour before being detected. Members of the Bhutanese film industry say such actions not only affect their earnings but also discourage future investments. Actor Nidup Dorji said, “I feel that the ticket an individual pays for is solely for his or her own entertainment. Recording the movie on a mobile phone is illegal, and there should be consequences for those who violate the rules.” Movie Director Sonam Rinchen Kuenfel said, “When people engage in such acts, it heavily impacts our movie business, especially the producers. They become hesitant to invest in films, which ultimately affects the livelihoods of actors and actresses, as well as the many people working behind the scenes who contribute to the movie.” The Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property or DOMCIIP says recording films without permission violates the Copyright Act of Bhutan 2001. According to Section 8 of the Act, offenders can face up to a year in prison, a fine of up to Nu 1,000,000, or both. Officials added that cases involving intent, commercial gain, distribution and repeat offences can lead to serious penalties. Filmmakers say unless such practices are curbed, piracy could threaten the growth of the Bhutanese film industry. Kinley Bidha