The Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed ACTC Events to pay ₹50,000 in compensation for the mismanagement of music composer A.R. Rahman’s ‘Marakkuma Nenjam’ concert, which was held in Chennai on 10 September 2023. The commission also ordered the company to pay ₹5,000 towards litigation costs.
The complaint was filed by K.R. Arjun, who had purchased a ‘diamond category’ ticket for the event, originally scheduled for August 12, 2023, but later postponed due to adverse weather conditions. In his petition, Arjun alleged that ACTC Events, along with ticketing partner Big Tree Entertainment and A.R. Rahman, had engaged in negligent and unfair practices. He claimed that the event was poorly organized, leading to significant hardship for attendees. Despite his premium ticket guaranteeing a parking spot, no such facility was available, forcing him to miss the concert.
ACTC Events, in its defense, stated that the August 12 concert had to be cancelled due to unexpected heavy rainfall and damage to the venue and equipment. The company claimed that the cancellation was communicated to ticket holders through social media and other channels.
However, the commission, comprising president D. Gopinath and members Kavitha Kannan and V. Ramamurthy, found the event management company negligent. The order noted that, given the scale and publicity of the concert, it was the organiser’s responsibility to inform participants well in advance to avoid inconvenience and potential safety risks.
“Cancelling the scheduled event on August 12 citing weather conditions at the last minute caused monetary loss, mental hardship, and suffering to the public. This amounts to clear negligence,” the commission said.
While ACTC Events was held accountable, the complaint against Big Tree Entertainment and A.R. Rahman was dismissed, with the commission stating that no substantive evidence of fault was found against them.
AR Rahman’s Marakkuma Nenjam Concert
AR Rahman’s Marakkuma Nenjam concert on 10 September 2023 in Chennai turned into a chaotic disaster and one that will remain an unforgettable nightmare for fans. They faced overcrowding, traffic jams, no parking, mismanagement, poor audio, and alleged molestation and missing children. Despite paying up to ₹10,000 per ticket, many were denied entry or sat in the wrong sections due to overselling. Stampede-like conditions, lack of volunteers, and safety lapses were widely reported. Fans demanded refunds and accountability from Rahman and ACTC Events. While organisers issued a mild apology, Rahman didn’t directly address the outrage, fuelling public anger over what many called a “scam” and traumatic experience.
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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