BENGALURU: The highly anticipated release of Power Star Pawan Kalyan’s gangster drama, “They Call Him OG,” has been met with a massive and often over-the-top frenzy from his devoted fanbase. However, the celebrations took a shocking and destructive turn on the film’s opening day in Bengaluru, where a viral video captured a group of fans tearing the cinema screen with a sword.
The incident reportedly took place at a theatre in the KR Puram area of Bengaluru during an early morning show on Thursday, September 25.
Celebration Turns Destructive
The video, which has quickly circulated across social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), shows a packed auditorium of highly energized fans celebrating an intense sequence in the film.
In a dramatic and dangerous show of their devotion, a few overzealous fans, some allegedly wielding a sword, approached the giant screen and intentionally damaged the projection surface. The action, seemingly a misguided attempt to “celebrate” the film’s release and the actor’s powerful screen presence, immediately brought the screening to a halt.
- Immediate Consequence: The theatre management was forced to stop the show immediately due to the extensive damage, causing chaos and disappointment among other moviegoers who were left unable to watch the film.
- Viral Outrage: While the film has received a blockbuster opening response, the fans’ destructive behaviour has drawn widespread criticism from netizens and regular audiences, who condemned the act as vandalism and a disregard for public property.
Security Concerns and Action Taken
Theatre owners and management across the region are now on high alert, with reports suggesting that stricter security measures will be implemented for all upcoming shows to prevent any recurrence of such dangerous behaviour.
While specific details on the legal action taken against the individuals involved in the Bengaluru incident are awaited, such acts of vandalism during film premieres have unfortunately become a recurring issue, often resulting in arrests and criminal charges for the perpetrators.
The Massive ‘OG’ Response
Despite the unfortunate event, the film, directed by Sujeeth and also starring Emraan Hashmi in his Telugu debut, continues to record massive occupancy and is poised for a record-breaking box office debut. “They Call Him OG” has already shattered advance booking records, becoming Pawan Kalyan’s biggest opener to date, underscoring the enormous and often volatile craze that surrounds the Power Star’s cinematic releases.