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Two Arrested For Stealing 66 Hard Disks, Containing Made In Heaven, Ghost Stories and Unreleased Footage, From Zoya Akhtar-Reema Kagti's Production House
Mumbai Police have arrested two persons, including an office assistant, for allegedly stealing 66 hard disks containing crucial film and web series data from the production house owned by filmmakers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti in Bandra, officials said on Tuesday.
The theft surfaced after Mehjabeen Shaikh, executive assistant at Tiger Baby Films, filed a complaint at Bandra police station regarding the missing storage devices.
According to investigators, the stolen hard disks allegedly contained important digital material, including raw footage, post-production backups, advertisements, edited sequences and archives linked to several unreleased films and web series projects.
According to investigators, the stolen hard disks allegedly contained important digital material, including raw footage, post-production backups, advertisements, edited sequences and archives linked to several unreleased films and web series projects.
Police registered an FIR against Mohammad Shahid Azim Khan and Borivali resident Ritesh Suresh Shah (44). Both accused have been taken into custody and remanded to police custody until May 29.
During the investigation, police found that Shah had allegedly purchased 24 of the stolen hard disks from Khan for amounts ranging between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 per device. Authorities suspect that some of the missing drives may also have entered the grey market.
During the investigation, police found that Shah had allegedly purchased 24 of the stolen hard disks from Khan for amounts ranging between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 per device. Authorities suspect that some of the missing drives may also have entered the grey market.
The matter reportedly came to light on May 21 after employees failed to locate a few hard disks required for ongoing projects. A subsequent inspection of the storage section allegedly revealed multiple damaged and empty hard-disk boxes inside the office premises.
Company records reportedly showed an inventory of 119 hard disks, of which 66 were found missing.
Officials said the stolen devices ranged from 16TB to 72TB in storage capacity and contained extensive production-related material, including raw footage, edited cuts, archived files, post-production work, advertisement campaigns and completed film data. A portion of the content was reportedly linked to unreleased film and OTT projects.
Officials said the stolen devices ranged from 16TB to 72TB in storage capacity and contained extensive production-related material, including raw footage, edited cuts, archived files, post-production work, advertisement campaigns and completed film data. A portion of the content was reportedly linked to unreleased film and OTT projects.
During questioning, Khan allegedly confessed to stealing 24 hard disks over a period of nearly five months, police said. Investigators are still trying to trace the remaining missing drives.
Authorities are now examining whether any of the data stored on the hard disks was copied, leaked or circulated before the theft was discovered. Cyber forensic experts may also be consulted to determine if any files were remotely accessed or shared online.
Authorities are now examining whether any of the data stored on the hard disks was copied, leaked or circulated before the theft was discovered. Cyber forensic experts may also be consulted to determine if any files were remotely accessed or shared online.
Police sources said the allegedly stolen material includes project files, rough cuts and footage connected to productions such as Made in Heaven and Ghost Stories, along with advertising campaign data related to beauty and digital media brands.
Investigators are also probing the possible involvement of another staff member after internal suspicions emerged regarding access to some of the missing storage devices. However, officials clarified that no conclusive evidence has yet been found against the employee.
