Hyderabad: Devara Pre-Release Event Canceled Amid Overcrowding and Security Concerns
The much-anticipated pre-release event for Devara: Part 1, featuring Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan, was abruptly canceled on September 22, 2024, in Hyderabad due to overwhelming crowd control and security issues. The event, scheduled to take place at Novotel in Madhapur, faced chaos as thousands of fans descended on the venue, making it impossible for organizers and police to manage the situation effectively.
As the crowd grew uncontrollable, VIP and reserved seating areas were compromised, leading to the difficult decision to cancel the event just hours before it was set to commence. This left many fans disappointed, eager to celebrate the film’s release.
In response to the cancellation, Jr NTR expressed his deep sorrow in a heartfelt message to his fans. He emphasized that the decision was made with their safety in mind and urged fans not to blame the producers or organizers. “I am deeply saddened that Devara’s event has been canceled, especially because I was looking forward to it so much. I share your disappointment, and my pain is more than yours,” he stated, highlighting his connection with the audience.
The production team of Devara also released a statement on X, explaining the challenges faced leading up to the event. “We were eagerly waiting for this day as we’ve worked hard on this film for years. However, the timing was unfortunate, coming close to Ganesh Nimarjanam, which typically requires extensive preparation for large-scale events,” the statement noted. It also mentioned that recent heavy rains had complicated logistical arrangements, making outdoor conditions unsuitable for the planned celebration.
Despite the lack of rain on the event day, the team acknowledged that the massive turnout created an environment that was difficult to control. “The overwhelming crowd led to barricades being broken, and for the safety of everyone, we had to make the tough decision to call off the event,” they said, expressing their apologies for the inconvenience caused to fans who had traveled from various parts of the country.
Directed by Koratala Siva, Devara is set to release on September 27, marking a significant collaboration as it features Jr NTR alongside Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor for the first time. The film’s team hopes that audiences will understand the circumstances surrounding the cancellation and looks forward to sharing their hard work with fans upon its release.
