A fan of actor Ram Charan died in a theatre stampede in Yemmiganur in Kurnool district on Wednesday (1 October).
The fan, identified as Budagajangala Kannaiah (19), was trying to buy a ticket for Ram Charan's recently released film "Govindudu Andarivadele" when the incident happened.
There was a huge crowd gathered at the theatre to get tickets for the morning show, and the chaos resulted in a stampede. Kannaiah suffered multiple injuries and died on the spot, reported Deccan Chronicle.
Police rushed to the spot, dispersed the crowd and shifted Kannaiah's body to the government hospital.
The victim's relatives blamed the theatre management for his death and staged a protest, demanding action against them for not taking proper measures to control the crowd, which was expected on the eve of Dussehra festival period, the daily reported. Several others suffered minor injuries in the stampede.
Meanwhile, Ram Charan offered condolences to Kannaiah's family members and also gave them an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh.
"I came to know a fan in Yemmiganur (in Kurnool district) lost his life at a stampede at Siva theatre. May his soul rest in peace and my deepest condolences to his family. I'm declaring an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to his family," Ram Cham said in a statement.
Ram Charan enjoys a huge fan base worldwide and his films get grand openings, with several fans thronging the theatres on the first day of its release. His latest film "Govindudu Andarivadele" hit the screens on 1 October across the world, amid positive responses from critics as well as the audience.
The film, touted as a family entertainer, is directed by Krishna Vamsi. Prakash Raj, Srikanth, Jayasudha, Kamalinee Mukherjee and Rehman are also part of the film's cast. Its music is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, while the film has been produced by Ganesh Bandla.
