Outrage at AR Rahman's concert

That A.R. Rahman is Tamil Nadu’s most cherished icon is well-known. Through his years of dedication to Tamil music, fans have elevated him to god-like status. But when his gig turned literally into a nightmare, social media erupted in collective and justifiable anger.

Once already postponed due to rain, the concert was held on  September 9 at a venue on ECR. It was organised by ACTC Events, at whom the crowds are seething now.

“The announcements made during the concert about ‘missing children’ were heartbreaking” said Hari, a Rahman fan from the US, who had come down with friends to the concert . But, despite such public announcements being made and panic situation, the concert continued!

While VVIP guests were accorded a grand welcome and were provided adequate security as photographs shared on social media demonstrated, true blue fans who had brought their children and elderly along were treated to groping, shoving and some couldn’t even enter the venue.

An anguished mother was in tears while speaking to a digital platform of the ordeal her child had to face, that could have easily cost him his life! She said in the interview, “If I stood for 2 more minutes they would have crushed and killed my child.”

Fans took to social media to vent about the traffic jams lasting upto five hours and emergency travel facing roadblocks due to lack of sufficient entry points to the venue.

“Those who bought expensive tickets too were herded into aisles randomly and there were many videos uploaded online of sound fluctuations and LED screens going off periodically. It was traumatic to see people gasp for breath and struggle for space as the crowd swelled. Organisers were nowhere to be seen. Children were crying and mobile phone networks were down too,” said artist Radhika Krish who had bought premium tickets.

She added, “The music was superlative. But the lack of professionalism from organisers was traumatic. And their apology was ridiculous. They apologised to those who couldn’t enter, but what about those who paid up to Rs 50,000 and lost out on the experience because of stampedes, failing technology and no seats?”

The Commissioner of Police, Tambaram, Amalraj’s mobile number earlier was ringing, but suddenly turned to ‘invalid’ post noon. Repeated attempts to reach him via messages or calls for a comment were futile.

Samay Singh Meena IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police — Traffic, Chennai East, was also in the audience.

While it’s easy to promote a legend like ARR and secure sponsors, the organisers of such events must go beyond eyeing only the commercial aspect. Playing with safety and security of patrons who have trusted you and bringing disrepute to sponsors who have poured money into paying the artiste and the arrangements were evident. With the distress such events can leave behind, it’ll be tough for the event organisers to secure any other artiste for a long time to come.

Film critic  Sridevi Sreedhar said, “The most bizarre experience ever! It was the worst ever concert that I attended. VIP zone tickets were priced at '25,000 and '50,000 but there was no security and every space was just one zone. The organisers oversold tickets. The seats were all off-centre. 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 a stampede and no one to manage the mayhem. What a disgrace.” She added, “A man of Rahman’s stature needs a proper team to present his talent. This event was plain shoddy.”

Organisers apologise

Many fans took to X asking  ARR to issue an apology and also demanded a refund from the organisers ACTC.

Though ACTC Event apologised to fans, there was no mention of refund in it. Here is the post-  @actcevents “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.”

Charulatha Rangarajan, who was molested, was appalled at ARR’s apology and said, “Why is it so hard to own up and say sorry. Calling himself a sacrificial goat when women and children got shoved and groped. It’s a bit rich coming from someone cocooned on stage.”