Mai TT warns fans as Lost in Ashes goes viral

Mai TT urges fans to report pirate uploads of her Nollywood film Lost in Ashes after its viral YouTube release draws unauthorised reuploads (image source)

Comedian and actress Felistas Murata, popularly known as Mai TT, has taken to social media to warn fans about unauthorised uploads of her new Nollywood film Lost in Ashes. She released the movie on YouTube three days ago following its September premiere in Harare, which drew several Nollywood stars. Murata says she personally financed the production, spending US$100,000, and is urging supporters to report any channels distributing the film without permission. The official YouTube release has become a viral hit, reportedly reaching 400,000 views within its first 48 hours — a milestone that highlights both the film’s popularity and the commercial stakes involved. But the rapid spread has also made it a target for pirate channels that Murata accuses of reposting the full movie to monetise views. She has asked fans to send links to any unauthorised uploads so that action can be taken against offending accounts.

Mai TT’s message was blunt: “Kindly send every YouTube link that shares my movie on their screens for money. Remember I spent my 100,000 USD without their help,” she told followers. She added that she respects fans who legitimately purchased tickets or supported the premiere, but not bloggers and channels reposting her content for profit. The appeal has struck a chord online, where teasers and clips of Lost in Ashes have circulated widely, driving up interest while increasing the risk of unauthorised redistribution. For independent producers, such uploads erode revenue streams and compromise the ability to recoup production costs — a particularly pressing issue when a single creator shoulders the entire financial burden.

Murata’s public call to action is both protective and practical: crowd-sourced reporting can help platforms identify and remove infringing uploads quickly, while signalling to potential pirates that the film’s creators are monitoring activity and prepared to issue takedowns. Supporters can help by reporting infringing YouTube links, sharing only official channels, and avoiding sites that stream the film without permission. Fans are encouraged to check for verified accounts and official playlists to ensure views and ad revenue benefit the rightful owners. Murata’s request for direct link submissions is a fast, community-driven way to safeguard the project’s earnings and visibility.

The Lost in Ashes episode underscores a recurring challenge for African filmmakers: protecting creative rights while pursuing wide digital reach. If Murata and her team can convert the film’s early momentum into legitimate streams and swift enforcement against pirates, the viral attention could translate into sustained revenue and broader distribution — a win for the artist and for audiences seeking to support original work.

Comedian and actress Felistas Murata, popularly known as Mai TT, has taken to social media to warn fans about unauthorised uploads of her new Nollywood film Lost in Ashes. She released the movie on YouTube three days ago following its September premiere in Harare, which drew several Nollywood stars. Murata says she personally financed the production, spending US$100,000, and is urging supporters to report any channels distributing the film without permission. The official YouTube release has become a viral hit, reportedly reaching 400,000 views within its first 48 hours — a milestone that highlights both the film’s popularity and the commercial stakes involved. But the rapid spread has also made it a target for pirate channels that Murata accuses of reposting the full movie to monetise views. She has asked fans to send links to any unauthorised uploads so that action can be taken against offending accounts.

Mai TT’s message was blunt: “Kindly send every YouTube link that shares my movie on their screens for money. Remember I spent my 100,000 USD without their help,” she told followers. She added that she respects fans who legitimately purchased tickets or supported the premiere, but not bloggers and channels reposting her content for profit. The appeal has struck a chord online, where teasers and clips of Lost in Ashes have circulated widely, driving up interest while increasing the risk of unauthorised redistribution. For independent producers, such uploads erode revenue streams and compromise the ability to recoup production costs — a particularly pressing issue when a single creator shoulders the entire financial burden.

Murata’s public call to action is both protective and practical: crowd-sourced reporting can help platforms identify and remove infringing uploads quickly, while signalling to potential pirates that the film’s creators are monitoring activity and prepared to issue takedowns. Supporters can help by reporting infringing YouTube links, sharing only official channels, and avoiding sites that stream the film without permission. Fans are encouraged to check for verified accounts and official playlists to ensure views and ad revenue benefit the rightful owners. Murata’s request for direct link submissions is a fast, community-driven way to safeguard the project’s earnings and visibility.

The Lost in Ashes episode underscores a recurring challenge for African filmmakers: protecting creative rights while pursuing wide digital reach. If Murata and her team can convert the film’s early momentum into legitimate streams and swift enforcement against pirates, the viral attention could translate into sustained revenue and broader distribution — a win for the artist and for audiences seeking to support original work.