Mumbai Film Industry Reels from Major Data Theft Incident

A major data theft incident has rocked Mumbai's film industry, with 66 hard drives containing sensitive movie and web series data reported missing from Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti's production company. The estimated loss is around Rs 12 to 13 lakh, but insiders fear the actual damage could be much higher if unreleased content is leaked. An office staffer has been arrested, admitting to selling some of the hard drives, while investigations continue to uncover the full extent of the theft and potential involvement of others. This incident has raised serious concerns about digital security in the entertainment sector, highlighting the risks associated with reliance on digital storage.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 26, 2026, 09:43 IST

Significant Data Breach Shakes Mumbai's Film Sector

A shocking data breach has emerged in Mumbai's film industry, with reports indicating that 66 hard drives containing crucial movie and web series information have gone missing from the office of Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti's production firm, Tiger Baby Digital LLP. According to law enforcement officials, these hard drives held significant digital assets, including films, web series, advertisements, raw footage, edited content, post-production backups, and archives of unreleased projects. The estimated loss from this incident is around Rs 12 to 13 lakh, but insiders worry that the actual financial impact could escalate into crores if any unreleased material is leaked online.

Arrest Made in Connection with the Theft

Office Staffer Arrested, Admits Selling Hard Disks

The situation came to light following a complaint lodged at the Bandra Police Station. Authorities have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against two suspects, identified as Mohammad Shahid Azim Khan and another individual named Ritesh. Shahid has been apprehended, while police are actively searching for the second suspect. During interrogation, Shahid, who served as an office boy responsible for the hard drives, reportedly confessed to stealing several drives over the past five months. Police sources revealed that he admitted to selling 24 hard drives to a Borivali resident named Ritesh for approximately Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 each. However, he has not provided a clear account of the whereabouts of the remaining drives, leading investigators to suspect that others may be involved in the theft.

Discovery of the Theft

Theft Discovered During Internal Search

The theft was uncovered on May 21 when employees at the Bandra West office were looking for specific hard drives needed for their tasks. Upon failing to find them, staff members checked the storage cabinets and realized that several drives were missing. Instead of the original hard drives, they found empty and partially damaged boxes in the storage area. There were no indications of fire or external damage, prompting the company to initiate an internal investigation. Following a complaint from the Executive Assistant and HR Admin, Mehjabeen Mushtaq Sheikh, police began their inquiry.

Missing Data Linked to Major Projects

Data Related To Major Projects Missing

Sources indicate that the stolen hard drives contained vital production materials associated with several significant projects, including raw footage, editing timelines, backup files, and production archives. Some of the notable projects whose data was reportedly stored on the missing drives include Made In Heaven, Ghost Stories, Nykaa campaigns, and Gandhi Money. Investigators are also exploring the possibility that some unreleased content may have been compromised.

Extent of the Theft

66 Out Of 119 Hard Disks Missing

Internal audits revealed that the production house had a total of 119 hard drives in storage, with 66 currently unaccounted for. These high-capacity drives, ranging from 16TB to 72TB, were utilized for storing extensive digital production data related to films, OTT projects, and commercial shoots.

Further Investigations Underway

Another Employee Under Scanner

Authorities are also investigating the potential involvement of another employee, Kalpesh Pawar. While there are suspicions regarding his connection to some of the missing drives, investigators have yet to reach any conclusions, and the probe remains ongoing.

Concerns Over Digital Security

Film Industry Concerned Over Data Security

This incident has reignited serious concerns regarding digital security within the entertainment sector. As most film and OTT projects increasingly rely on digital storage and cloud-based systems, any leak of unreleased footage or confidential files could lead to substantial financial repercussions. The Bandra Police are currently working to locate the remaining hard drives and ascertain whether the stolen data has been accessed, copied, sold, or leaked further. Investigators are also examining the possibility of a larger network involved in digital data theft.