The proliferation of piracy, particularly through websites like Filmyzilla, significantly impacted the box office performance of Devdas. Despite being a critical and commercial success, the film's earnings were affected by the widespread piracy. The film's producers and distributors suffered substantial losses, estimated to be in crores.
Filmyzilla, a notorious piracy website, emerged as a significant threat to the film industry in the early 2000s. The website facilitated the illegal downloading and sharing of copyrighted content, including movies, music, and TV shows. Devdas, being one of the most anticipated films of 2002, became a prime target for piracy.
The film industry, led by the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, launched a strong campaign against piracy, advocating for stricter laws and more effective enforcement. The government, too, took notice, and measures were implemented to curb piracy.