Chennai Police have taken legal action against ACTC Events, the organizers of AR Rahman’s September 10 concert, following complaints of ticket overselling and mismanagement. The event, named ‘Marakkuma Nenjam’ (Does the Heart Ever Forget), occurred at a private venue on East Coast Road (ECR).
Concert attendees vented their frustrations on social media, citing oversold tickets, overcrowding, and inadequate seating arrangements. In response, Tambaram City Police filed cases against Hemanth Raja, CEO of ACTC Events, and two others. The charges include criminal breach of trust (IPC section 406) and disobedience to orders (IPC section 188). Cheating charges were also filed due to ticket overselling.
Tambaram City Police Commissioner A Amalraj revealed that around 15,000 extra attendees showed up, surpassing the venue’s capacity. Despite arranging 25,000 chairs, the actual turnout reached 35,000 to 40,000 attendees.
The aftermath saw attendees sharing their experiences on social media, including difficulties caused by traffic congestion on ECR and issues with ticket costs. AR Rahman distanced himself from the situation, while Hemanth Raja expressed regret and promised ticket refunds for those who missed the concert.
This legal action highlights the importance of transparent event management to ensure safety and logistical integrity.
