A massive fire erupted in a theatre in Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh, during the screening of Jr NTR’s iconic Telugu film ‘Simhadri’. The film, which was re-released on the actor’s birthday, attracted a large number of fans eager to relive the cinematic experience. However, the excitement turned into chaos when some over-enthusiastic fans ignited firecrackers inside the Apsara theatre, resulting in a devastating fire. This incident led to the evacuation of the audience and the cancellation of the show, causing significant damage to the property.
The Fire Outbreak and Evacuation
During the screening of ‘Simhadri’ at Vijaywada’s Apsara theatre, an alarming fire broke out due to the reckless act of bursting firecrackers by a group of fans. The first two rows of the hall were engulfed in flames, causing extensive damage. In response to the situation, the audience had to be evacuated to ensure their safety.
Efforts to Control the Fire
The theatre owners and staff swiftly responded to the fire outbreak, attempting to bring the situation under control. A video circulating on the internet captured their valiant efforts as they worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames. Additionally, local authorities deployed police personnel to provide assistance and maintain order amidst the chaos.
#JrNTR fans burnt crackers in Apsara theatre in #Vijayawada on Saturday as part of celebrating his birthday during his movie #SIMHADRI. Due to fire crackers seats in d theatre were burnt. @tarak9999 @JrNTR_ @APPOLICE100 @JrNTRDevotees pic.twitter.com/wphN7Lh4Zo
— R V K Rao_TNIE (@RVKRao2) May 20, 2023
Audience Reaction and Displeasure
The news of the fire incident at the Vijaywada theatre spread rapidly across social media platforms, sparking a wave of discontent among netizens. Many expressed their disappointment and condemned the unruly behavior of the fans responsible for the fire. Concerns were raised regarding the property damage caused and the responsibility of compensating for the losses incurred.
‘Simhadri’ and Jr NTR’s Relevance
Directed by SS Rajamouli, ‘Simhadri’ marked the second collaboration between the renowned filmmaker and Jr NTR after their successful venture, ‘Student No 1’. The film’s re-release aimed to commemorate Jr NTR’s 40th birthday, leading to its wide screening in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. However, the unfortunate fire incident disrupted the celebrations and left fans disappointed.
Jr NTR’s Upcoming Projects
While dealing with the aftermath of the theatre fire, Jr NTR continues to be occupied with his upcoming film, ‘Devara’, which also serves as Janhvi Kapoor’s Telugu debut. Moreover, there are reports suggesting Jr NTR’s appearance in ‘War 2’ alongside the acclaimed actor Hrithik Roshan. These projects have generated anticipation among fans and industry enthusiasts alike.
The fire outbreak during the screening of ‘Simhadri’ in Vijaywada’s Apsara theatre served as a distressing incident caused by the recklessness of over-enthusiastic fans. This unfortunate event led to the evacuation of the audience, cancellation of the show, and significant damage to the property. While Jr NTR’s fans eagerly await his forthcoming projects, this incident serves as a reminder to prioritize safety and responsible behavior to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
