Nearly two years after the chaotic Marakkuma Nenjam concert in Chennai, thousands of fans are still awaiting full refunds and compensation, even as composer AR Rahman has announced a new concert in the city as part of his “The Wonderment Tour” on 14 February 2026.
The September 2023 concert, organised by ACTC Events at Adityaram Palace on Chennai’s East Coast Road, descended into chaos after severe overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure, and alleged overselling of tickets. Despite public assurances, interviews, apologies, and an email issued in Rahman’s name promising refunds and compensation, several affected attendees say they have received either partial refunds or none at all.
Chaos at the Marakkuma Nenjam Concert Venue
The controversy erupted when a venue spread over approximately five to six acres was used to host a crowd far exceeding its capacity. While official permission was reportedly granted for 25,000 attendees, ACTC Events claimed to have sold 36,000 tickets and issued an additional 4,000 complimentary passes. Independent estimates at the time suggested the actual crowd size may have been significantly higher.
Attendees stated that the venue could comfortably accommodate only around 7,000 to 8,000 people. They reported a lack of basic amenities, including adequate parking, clearly marked entry and exit points, toilets, drinking water, and first-aid facilities. Several families with children and elderly members were stranded outside locked gates despite holding valid tickets, some costing up to ₹1 lakh.
Videos that later surfaced showed volunteers verbally abusing attendees and security personnel struggling to control the crowd. Reports also emerged of physical altercations and medical emergencies, with no ambulances immediately available on site.
Organisers Deflect Responsibility
Following widespread public outrage, ACTC Events CEO Hemanth Raja appeared on Thanthi TV, where he denied allegations of ticket overselling. Instead, he claimed that duplicate tickets. particularly complimentary passes, had contributed to the crowd surge. He also admitted that the organisers had aimed to “break attendance records,” exceeding the approved capacity.
While describing the incident as an “inconvenience,” Raja acknowledged that selecting the ECR venue had been a mistake. His statements, however, failed to address the experiences of attendees who reported suffocation-level crowding and were forced to leave without witnessing the concert.
Email Apology in Rahman’s Name
In the aftermath of the incident, fans received a mass email signed in AR Rahman’s name, apologising for the distress caused and promising refunds along with an unspecified “surprise.” The email asked recipients to submit bank details, ticket copies, and receipts.
Several recipients described the message as impersonal and automated. Critics also questioned why Rahman, who had previously addressed the postponement of an earlier August 2023 concert through an Instagram Live session, did not issue a similar personal video or public address following the September disaster.
Two years later, fans say the promised “surprise” never materialised, and refunds remain incomplete.
Refund Promises Remain Unfulfilled
As public anger intensified in 2023, ACTC Events released a video statement asserting that AR Rahman was “not to blame” and that the organisers alone bore responsibility. The company assured that refunds would be issued to all attendees who had paid “in a proper manner.”
However, multiple concertgoers now allege that ACTC has stopped responding to follow-ups and that compensation has not been delivered as promised, even after two years.
Lingering Anger as New Concert Announced
For many fans, memories of the night remain raw; hours spent in overcrowded conditions, lack of communication, police turning people away despite valid tickets, children crying, and elderly attendees collapsing from heat and pressure.
The announcement of Rahman’s next Chennai concert has reignited anger among affected fans, who question what has changed in terms of infrastructure or accountability since 2023. For thousands still waiting for refunds and closure, the passage of two years has brought little more than silence.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
