Not just Thala vs Thalaiva

Fans, hoardings and celebrations made commute difficult around theatres and multiplexes in the city on Thursday. 

In Koyambedu, the traffic came to a standstill on Poonamalle High Road near Rohini complex, as a number of cars and bikes were parked on the road blocking the way for other vehicles. “The first show began around 4 am and there were no traffic police control the vehicles at that time. The officers reached later during the day and cleared the traffic after the first show. After that vehicle were not allowed to be parked outside theatres,” said a traffic police personnel.

The police said that fans of both Rajinikanth and Ajitkumar had begun to throng outside multiplexes and single-cinema halls from last midnight to catch the 1 am show. Minor clashes were also reported between two fan groups as Rajinikanth’s Petta poster was reportedly torn by unidentified persons. But, things turned normal around 4 am.

Other parts of the city too witnessed chaos outside theatres showing Petta and Viswasam and In other parts of the city too, same chaotic situation was witnessed in front of the theatres. A police officer said that they are expecting the crowds to swell on Friday and to last till the weekend. He added that no major untoward incident had been reported so far.

Enraged at his father refusing to give him money to see a newly-released movie, a 20-year-old set is father on fire at Katpadi on Thursday. The police said that the 45-year-old father, Pandian, works as a beedi maker and lives in Kalinjur, Katpadi, while his son Ajith Kumar is a daily labourer. On Wednesday evening, Ajith asked his father for money to buy tickets for a film. Pandian refused because he did not have the money. This resulted in an argument between the duo. Later that night, when Pandian went to bed, Ajith poured kerosene on him and set him alight. Pandian’s screams woke up the neighbours who rescued him and rushed him to Vellore Government Hospital and informed the Katpadi police. Pandian suffered 40 degree burns. The police arrested Ajith.

A theatre in Vellore town which opened its doors early to screen Viswasam had to postpone the show for some time following a clash between fans to get the best seats on Wednesday night. When the theatre opened its doors there was a mad scramble for seats which resulted in a fight between two groups. They first used fists and then knives. Two people received knife injuries and were taken to the Vellore Government Hospital after the police intervened and broke up the fight. They are currently, on the lookout for the attackers who fled without watching the movie once the police rushed into the hall.