The concert was held at Adityaram Palace in Chennai’s Paniyur
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. Fans also 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 Act Events.
One person 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.”
Another commented, ”Stampede-like situation happening in #ARRahman concert. Many are being sent out from concerts. Many aren’t allowed inside despite having passes. All price category pass holders are mixed without segregating them into their respective pass categories. Parking is also a major concern raised by the people who traveled for hours to reach the event venue.”
Watch the videos here:
Stampede like situation happening in #ARRahman concert.
Many are being sent out from concert.
Many aren’t allowed inside despite having passes.
All price category pass holders are mixed without segregating them to their respective pass category.
Parking is also a major… pic.twitter.com/qLmZRHbYZl
— Manobala Vijayabalan (@ManobalaV) September 10, 2023
#ARRahman
AR Rahman’s concert tonight was the most traumatic event I’ve ever been to.THOUSANDS of people WITH tickets were being sent out, not allowed to enter because thousands of TICKETS WERE OVERSOLD. There was nobody to direct anyone,the ticket booth was abandoned. pic.twitter.com/dgZ9mmiCbt— Kamya Menon (@water_menon) September 10, 2023
The lack of proper parking facilities was also a major concern raised by 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.
Very very bad audio systems. Couldn’t hear any song or music. Too crowded, worst organisation, stampede, parking jammed, could not even return, need refund.#MarakkaveMarakathaNenjam#arrahman | #isaipuyal | #marakkumanenjampic.twitter.com/ROHBCS5sTu
— Jay (@jp15may) September 10, 2023
Horrible experience at @arrahman concert. Horrible Sound Systems, zero crowd control and they have sold much more tickets than capacity. All late comers were standing in front of those who were sitting and on the pathway #ARRahman#arrahmanconcert your are the worst @actceventspic.twitter.com/xBn0KyGqNO
— Vishnu Manoharan (@Mvishnu699) September 10, 2023
@arrahman Absolute scam at Rahman’s concert in ECR. ECR is completely blocked with thousands of cars. Not an exaggeration. We have traveled 6kms in 3hours. 1 lakh tickets sold for a venue with only 10k occupancy. Couldnt even enter the venue, they blocked at 7pm #ARRahmanconcertpic.twitter.com/yClAV3eeaj
— Siddarth Eswar (@siddarth55) September 10, 2023
Another fan said it was a “very badly organised” and a “waste of money and energy.” She also mentioned that she felt stressed due to fights, in addition to poor sound quality. Some others shared experiences of suffering panic attacks and anxiety due to overcrowding
Very badly organised concert. Waste of money. Energy.
Felt a huge sense of betrayal.
I was feeling so stressed than good vibes because of so many fights and shit that was going around!
Unfair max was No proper sound !#actcevents#MarakkumaNenjam#ARRConcert@arrahmanpic.twitter.com/8a6LFvb6ms— Charulatha Rangarajan (@charuturfo) September 10, 2023
A few called it ”the worst concert ever”, and even tore their tickets in rage.
Disappointed #ARRahman fan tore #MarakkumaNenjam concert tickets and says this is indeed an unforgettable event and a worst gift from A R Rahman to the people. pic.twitter.com/XXNR42PWzW
— Manobala Vijayabalan (@ManobalaV) September 10, 2023
Organisers of the concert are yet to comment on the issue.
Notably, AR Rahman, an Oscar-winning music composer is known for his work in films like ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ series, Rangeela, Bombay, Taal, Rockstar, and Slumdog Millionaire. Some of his upcoming projects include Ayalaan, Maamannan Maidaan, Pippa, Aadujeevitham, Laal Salaam, and Mani Ratnam’s next with Kamal Haasan.
