Day after chaotic concert, AR Rahman hints of refund

CHENNAI:Top composer and two time Oscar winner AR Rahman on Monday said he would respond to the grievances of his audience who said they suffered because his Sunday evening concert held near Chennai was "mismanaged", and indicated that the ticket cost would be refunded.

Rahman posted his statement on a social media platform after allegation of mismanagement of his concert on Sunday evening that caused inconvenience to many.

The event - "Marakkuma Nenjam" - turned out to be an unforgettable for the mess it created on arterial East Coast Road as well as at the venue - Adityaram palace city- as a large number of ticket holders were left in lurch without seats.

"I walked nearly 4 km after parking my car on a street off ECR and I could not sit and watch the programme as the entire area was encroached by others. There was so much crowd and organisers seem to have issued tickets mindlessly without planning to manage the crowd. I had to leave the venue within an hour with my wife and kid as the crowd started behaving ugly," said Saravanan, a resident of Kottivakkam.

Because of traffic chaos, CM's convey, moving from Mahablipuram side, was also stuck on ECR for certain time. The convoy later moved on the other lane meant for vehicles moving from Chennai to Mahabalipuram, to reach the destination.

Tambaram City Police Commissioner A Amalraj, underwhose jurisdiction the venue on ECR falls, said nearly 15,000 people beyond the expected number of attendees converged there. Enquiries will be held with the organisers of the event, he added.

A number of social media posts were put up by people complaining of being unable to reach the venue on time due to severe traffic congestion on the ECR. The social media posts were critical of the waythings were handled on Sunday evening, and highlighted the traffic snarls, angry ticket-holders being denied access despite coughing up huge sums, and children suffering due to the crowd and people jostling to move ahead.

With online complaints pouring in, Rahman sought to address the issue.

"Dearest Chennai Makkale (people), those of you who purchased tickets and weren't able to enter owing to unfortunate circumstances, please do share a copy of your ticket purchase to arr4chennai@btos.in along with your grievances. Our team will respond asap, " he said in a post in a social media platform.

ACTC Events, which managed the show, also responded on the social media platform.

"Grateful to Chennai and the legendary@arrahman Sir! The incredible response, the overwhelming crowd made our show amassive success. Those who couldn't attend on overcrowding, our sincere apologies. We take full responsibility and accountable (sic). We are with you.#MarakkumaNenjam, " it said. An angry music lover complained she had paid Rs 30,000 to enjoy the concert with her family and alleged that children were badly manhandled.

Many said it took hours for them to reach thevenue but still could not get access due to overcrowding and mismanagement ofthe 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. Tambaram Police Commissioner Amalraj, who visited the spot, said arrangements for the event had been on for a week. The crowd was "more than expected, " as 25,000 chairs were put "but 35,000 to 40,000 people turned up."

Enquiries were on to ascertain how the number of people increased manifold, even as police had to stop many from trying to make their way to the venue.

Due to rains earlier, the parking lot could not be utilised, following which many parked their vehicles on the road, leading to congestion, he added.