One of Bollywood’s biggest stars says people illegally downloading his films helped grow his audience internationally, while technology is helping fans in India find new ways to watch his movies.

Aamir Khan has produced, directed and acted in some of Bollywood’s biggest films including 3 Idiots, Lagaan, PK and Dangal.

Khan is in Australia as the guest of honour for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, which will feature a major retrospective of his work as well as featuring his latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par.

While audiences have traditionally watched his work on big screen,the World new audiences had found his films on smaller screens.

He said his film 3 Idiots “went viral all over the place” thanks to people illegally downloading it.

“My audience grew a lot in the east in countries like China, Singapore, and Japan, Korea,” Khan said.

“It happened, quite honestly, thanks to piracy.

His latest film Sitaare Zameen Par (Stars on Earth) has been released on YouTube at a cost of 100 rupees ($2) per view.

Films from his back catalogue are also expected to become available.

He said increasing internet access in India and the growing number of electronic payments inspired the idea.

More than 419 million people use the platform in India, making it YouTube’s biggest audience in the world.

“As a creative person, I want my film to be able to reach everyone across the country in India,” he said.

“Now is the time finally where my film can reach a large audience and I think that really helps cinema on the whole.”

Hrithik Roshan and NTR have appealed to fans, media and audience with a special message, requesting them to avoid posting spoilers about War 2 to preserve the multiple secrets, twists and turns that the story has to offer to people.

Hrithik and NTR, who play Indian soldiers at loggerheads in the Ayan Mukerji action-entertainer, said they have made War 2 ‘with a lot of love, a lot of time and a lot of passion’ and it is a big screen spectacle that should be enjoyed only in cinemas!

Hrithik says, “War 2 has been made with a lot of love, a lot of time and a lot of passion. The best way to experience this cinematic spectacle is in the theatres as the constant twists and turns of this dramatic story unfold in front of your eyes. I have a request to make to all of you – media, audience, fans – please protect our spoilers at any cost.”

NTR says, “When someone comes to the theatres to watch War 2, they should feel the same amount of joy, thrill and entertainment as you have felt watching War 2 for the first time. Spoilers are no fun and it hugely impacts the film watching experience. Please give us a lot of love and let the story of War 2 be a secret to everyone.. we are counting on you..”

A YRF Spy Universe film, War 2 is set to release tomorrow worldwide in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu.

Even the buzz that existed for Part-1 is missing for Part-2, which is surprising Bollywood trade pundits. On the other hand, the craze for the film “Coolie,” which is dominating the South, is increasing in the North with every passing hour.

While this film is showing signs of collecting ₹15 crores on its first day in the North, “War-2” appears to be settling for a range of ₹35 to ₹40 crores.

“Supreme Warriors,” a new film starring Dr. Murali Mohan, is now in production under the Adi Akshara Entertainments banner as Production Number 2. Produced by Pedapudi Babu Rao and directed by Harichandan, the movie began with a grand puja ceremony on Monday, August 11th.

Guests at the event included Dhavala Satyam, Bellamkonda Suresh, director Veera Shankar, Sangareddy MLA Chinta Prabhakar, Shivraj Patil, Malkapuram Shivakumar, and Srinivas Reddy. Sangareddy MLA Chinta Prabhakar switched on the camera for the muhurat shot, while Dhavala Satyam and Dr. Murali Mohan served as honorary directors.

Presented by Madhu Shalini, the rural love story “Kanya Kumari” is set to be released. Produced by and featuring a story and direction by Srujan Attada under the Radical Pictures banner, the film stars Geeth Saini and Sreecharan Rachakonda as the lead pair. The film is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on August 27th, coinciding with Vinayaka Chavithi.

Federation rules and demands from film workers are becoming a huge burden for small producers. “No producer is happy; the unions should act with an attitude that everyone should be well off,” stated small producers. In light of the current strike situation in Tollywood, the Rising Producers used a press meet to highlight the challenges they face in film production.

Producers S.K.N., Dheeraj, Rajesh Danda, Prime Show Chaitanya, Chai Bisket Anurag, Madhura Sreedhar, Maheshwar Reddy, Rakesh Varre, and others attended the press meet held at Prasad Labs in Hyderabad. They all appealed not to crush small producers any further.