The visuals from the Toxic pre-release event in Hyderabad are extremely disturbing. What was supposed to be a film promotional event turned chaotic, with thousands of students packed against barricades and near the stage.
Several students were seen climbing structures around the sound systems. One structure collapsed, leaving two students injured. Thankfully, it did not become a major tragedy. But the question is frightening: What if it had fallen into the crowd?
After the Pushpa 2 Sandhya Theatre stampede, organizers and authorities should have become far more serious about crowd safety. Yet the Toxic event again showed dangerously packed crowds, people pushing against barriers and students climbing structures.
Have we really learned nothing from the Sandhya Theatre tragedy?
There is another concern. Why are colleges and universities increasingly being used for huge film promotions?
Educational institutions should primarily remain spaces for students and academics. If filmmakers want massive events, there are plenty of dedicated venues and open grounds designed to handle large crowds.
Students were reportedly warned about their unruly behavior after the incident. Malla Reddy’s daughter-in-law Preethi Reddy was also reportedly seen misbehaving with students, treating them as cattle and not humans.
Who allowed the crowd to reach this level of chaos in the first place?
If people are climbing sound-system structures and one collapses, organizers and authorities must answer serious questions. What if someone had fallen? What if the structure had crushed people below? What if a stampede had started? The Sandhya Theatre tragedy should have been a massive wake-up call.
CM Revanth Reddy Garu, it is high time to completely ban such massive film events inside colleges and universities. There is no reason to risk students’ lives for movie promotions. Such events should be held at proper venues with professional crowd management, medical facilities, emergency exits and adequate security.
The Toxic event got lucky this time. A film promotion is never more important than a human life.
