Music maestro AR Rahman held a concert titled ‘Marakuma Nenjam’ at Adityaram Palace in Chennai’s Paniyur on Sunday. However, the musical event turned out to be a ”traumatic” experience for several fans who complained of overcrowding and a stampede-like situation and slammed the organisers for their horrible mismanagement. Many people took to social media to share videos of their ”bizarre” and ”harrowing” experiences, complaining about how they were not allowed to enter the venue, despite having valid tickets. Reacting to the posts, the composer offering help to those who could not attend the concert. “Let me be the sacrificial goat this time for all of us to wake up,” Rahman said on social media.
Fans claimed that there was a stampede-like situation, resulting in women being harassed and children being separated and injured. Thousands of fans alleged that organisers oversold tickets, and expressed their disappointment on X demanding answers from ACTC Events.
One woman who left the venue without attending, alleged on a local television channel, “It’s overcrowded, a stampede-like situation. No regulation at all”. Another woman added, “We had paid five thousand for a ticket. But it was free for all, anybody could sit anywhere. They are answerable “. A family alleged saying, “There is no parking space as they had claimed. We parked our cars and walked 2 KM.”
A fan on X wrote, ”The most bizarre experience ever! It was the worst ever concert that I have attended. VIP zone tickets were priced at 25000 and 50000 and there was no security, every zone was one. The organisers over-sold the tickets. The seats were all off-center. Even in the VIP area, there was no stage view. No bouncers to man the areas!!! The entry demarcations were missing! everyone was entering from everywhere. It was like a stampede and no one to manage! What a disgrace.”
The lack of proper parking facilities was also a major concern raised by many concert-goers who traveled for hours to reach the event venue. Some also complained about the low volume, making the performance barely audible for those away from the stage, and asked for a refund.
