Row breaks out over AR Rahman's Chennai concert due to 'mismanagement'
organisers say 'we are accountable'
Chennai(PTI): Traffic snarls, angry audience denied access despite coughing up huge sums, crying children and jostling people -- these were the scenes at a concert organised by musician AR Rahman here on Sunday due to alleged mismanagement of the grand show, titled "Marakkuma Nenjam," meaning "Can the heart forget."
A number of social media posts showed people complaining of being unable to reach the venue due to severe traffic congestion on the scenic East Coast Road (ECR) that even reportedly affected the movement of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's convoy.
While there was no immediate response from Rahman, the organisers ACTC Events, said they took "full responsibility."
"It was worst concert ever in the History #ARRahman #Scam2023 by #ACTC. Respect Humanity. 30 Years of the Fan in me died today Mr. #ARRAHMAN. #MarakkumaNenjam Marakkavey Mudiyathu. (Can't forget).A performer in the stage can't never see what's happening at other areas just watch it," a social media post from a user "@NavzTweet" on X said.
People complained of "overcrowding," and the event being "shabbily organised." "It is a waste of money," a disappointed woman said.
An angry musical lover complained she had paid Rs 30,000 to enjoy the concert with her family and alleged children were badly manhandled.
Many said it took hours for them to reach the spot but still could not get access due to overcrowding and mismanagement of the entire event.
"..pretty horrible-- not safe for children, could hear them crying and not safe for women at all," another fan was heard saying on a video. An angry man was seen tearing the tickets.
Another video showed children crying while people were jostling with each other to enter the venue.
The event organisers took to X, formerly Twitter, to respond on the issue.
"Grateful to Chennai and the legendary @arrahman Sir! The incredible response, the overwhelming crowd made our show a massive success. Those who couldn't attend on overcrowding, Our sincere apologies. We take full responsibility and accountable. We are with you. #MarakkumaNenjam," ACTC events said in the post, which was reposted by Rahman.
The issue was among the top trending subjects on X.
People returning after they couldn’t get access to the show. Ladies molested, children’s injured in the stampede, elderly collapsed due to suffocation while @arrahman was still singing with a closed eye 😒 shit show and a near death experience for my family #ARRahman @actcevents pic.twitter.com/9xlu5TsqZ8
— Vinisterâš¡ (@Vinisterverse) September 10, 2023
VVIPs ( Ajith Family's) Vs Normal People in #ARRahman Concert 💦💦😔😔
— TN 72 (@mentalans) September 10, 2023
#MarakkumaNenjam #Arrconcert #Arrahmanconcert #Breaking #BreakingNews#music #Concert pic.twitter.com/WftV0wkhcP
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
West Bengal teenager shot dead while shooting reels with handgun
Kolkata, Nov 22: A class eight student was killed after a bullet pierced his skull when he was shooting reels with a handgun in West Bengal's Malda district, police said on Friday.
The incident happened in the Kaliachak area of the district on Thursday afternoon when the handgun, the teenager was using to shoot the video at his house, accidentally fired, a senior police officer said.
Safiul Islam (13) was shooting the video on the roof of his residence at Srirampur under the jurisdiction of Kaliachak police station when a bullet from the 7 mm pistol went off and pierced his skull.
The minor's neighbours and family members rushed to the roof on hearing the sound of a gunshot and took him to a hospital where the doctors declared Islam dead.
"We are trying to trace the source of the gun, which was an improvised pistol having sophisticated features," the officer said.
Another minor, stated to be a friend of the deceased, was detained by police.
He reportedly told the police that the deceased was addicted to mobile handsets and was making reels when the accidental firing took place, the officer said.
It was initially believed that Saiful was alone when the incident occurred, while interrogations revealed that the detained minor was also present there.
He fled the spot amid chaos after the incident, the police officer added.
