The culture of erecting towering hoardings, banners, and cutouts for beloved film stars has become synonymous with fan devotion in Indian cinema, particularly in the South. While these grand displays are intended to celebrate stars, they have increasingly turned into dangerous spectacles with devastating consequences. From tragic accidents to stampedes, the extreme lengths fans go to express their admiration raise serious concerns about safety, necessity, and the true meaning of fandom.
A Tradition of Monumental Displays
Whether it’s Ram Charan’s much-anticipated Game Changer or Sonu Sood’s Fateh, massive banners and cutouts have become hallmarks of film celebrations. Fans pour their time, money, and resources into crafting these tributes, sometimes reaching heights of 30 feet or more. These unveilings are often accompanied by rituals like milk abhishekams, a practice that mirrors the deification of these stars.
However, what starts as a celebration of art frequently descends into peril. In January 2025, for instance, the release of Pushpa 2: The Rule led to a stampede in Andhra Pradesh, where overwhelming crowds gathered to watch the first-day-first-show. Tragically, a woman lost her life, and a child was critically injured. Such incidents highlight how fan enthusiasm can spiral into chaos, endangering lives.
When Devotion Turns Deadly
The dangers of fan-driven tributes were starkly evident when three fans of KGF star Yash were electrocuted while erecting a 25-foot cutout for his birthday in Gadag district, Karnataka. The metal frame of the cutout accidentally touched a live electric wire, killing three and injuring several others.
This tragedy is part of a grim pattern:
December 2023: A fan of Prabhas was electrocuted while setting up a flex for Salaar.
July 2023: Suriya’s fans in Andhra Pradesh died while putting up banners for his birthday.
September 2020: Three fans of Pawan Kalyan lost their lives in Andhra Pradesh during his birthday celebrations.
2015: A fan of Kannada superstar Sudeep was electrocuted while carrying a hoarding.
Such incidents underscore a disturbing reality: fans are risking—and losing—their lives for grand gestures that could easily be avoided.
The South Indian Phenomenon: Stars as Gods
In South India, fandom transcends admiration and enters the realm of worship. Icons like Rajinikanth, MG Ramachandran (MGR), Kamal Haasan, and Chiranjeevi are revered as near-divine figures. Rajinikanth, affectionately called “Thalaivar” (The Leader), has temples dedicated to him, where fans perform poojas and pray for his well-being.
This tradition stems from the profound emotional connection audiences share with their stars, who often symbolize hope, success, and larger-than-life aspirations. However, this deification has its pitfalls, as it encourages fans to compete in expressing their devotion through extravagant and, at times, dangerous acts.
Recognizing the risks, several actors have repeatedly urged their fans to avoid such extreme expressions of love. Yash, Shivarajkumar, Darshan, and Sudeep have openly discouraged fans from erecting banners, pouring milk over cutouts, or engaging in any activities that could endanger lives. Even Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have appealed for moderation, emphasizing that their success lies in their fans’ well-being, not their grand tributes.
Despite these appeals, the culture persists, driven by peer pressure, social media clout, and the deeply ingrained tradition of idol worship.
Filmmaker Nambi Rajan feels, “Die-hard fans behave in this manner. They are overenthusiastic. They stand up and dance inside theatres and do many other uncontrollable things. This cut-out tradition has existed for many years; it’s not something new. In the South, it’s been a long-standing tradition. For instance, if MGR’s cut-out is displayed, Sivaji’s cut-out will also be placed nearby. This is common in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, though not as much in Kerala. Such behavior cannot be classified as true fandom. These individuals do such things to seek attention and get their photos featured in the media. They also want to showcase their pictures on banners.A similar incident occurred during the release of ‘Inaindha Kaigal’. Even though the actor wasn’t very famous, the director’s name attracted a huge crowd. Another instance involved a person dancing on top of a vehicle during an Ajith film release in Chennai, which led to his tragic death.”
“These people neither come to watch the movie nor allow others to enjoy it. Instead of clapping and cheering for genuinely good scenes, they display overexcitement for every scene, regardless of its quality. I tried to avoid fan shows initially because of this behavior, as they used to damage property as well. I still recall fan fights breaking out during the release of a Vijay film. These individuals think they own the theatres. Earlier, they would tear up lottery tickets and throw them from the balcony, which we had to ban. These fans often pay extra money for tickets on the first day, and the damage they cause seems proportional to the price they pay. Regular moviegoers, who pay the standard ticket price, simply watch the movie and leave, regardless of whether they liked it or not. Naturally, people who pay inflated prices for tickets get angry. Such crowds need to be controlled in these situations. What can the hero of the film do in such cases?,” questions the director.
While on the other, – Suniel Wadhwa, Co-Founder and Director, of Karmic Films has another opinion on this matter, He shares, “The reverence for South Indian actors stems from a deep cultural and emotional connection that goes beyond cinema. These stars like Superstar Rajnikant, Thalapathy Vijay, Ajith, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Allu Arjun, and Nayantara, represent the hopes, values, and aspirations of their fans, and in return, the audience places them on a pedestal of admiration. While some actors embrace this devotion as a responsibility, others remain humble, crediting their fans for their success. This unique bond is what makes South Indian cinema not just entertainment, but a way of life.”
He adds, “In South India, cinema is deeply intertwined with cultural identity, with actors often seen as symbols of hope, change, and regional pride. Larger-than-life characters portrayed on-screen translate into real-life admiration, fostering a profound emotional bond between stars and audiences. Many actors, like Rajinikanth and Mammootty, amplify their “real-life hero” image through philanthropy, while fan clubs engage in social work, strengthening the mythology around stars. This dynamic has also enabled several actors, like MGR and N.T. Rama Rao, to transition into politics, blurring lines between reel and real-life heroism.
While some stars embrace their god-like status, others, like Vijay Deverakonda and Prabhas, prefer a grounded approach, focusing on relatability and craft. Fan-driven rituals, including temple-building and grand celebrations, perpetuate this phenomenon, making South Indian cinema a unique blend of cultural, emotional, and societal connections.”
The Thin Line Between Admiration and Obsession
The magnification of stars through such displays raises critical questions:
Is it worth risking lives for fleeting moments of recognition?
Does such behavior truly honor the stars, or does it burden them with guilt and responsibility?
For many fans, these gestures are more about gaining attention or asserting loyalty within their community than genuine admiration. Unfortunately, this obsession often overshadows the artist’s craft, reducing the relationship to a cycle of risky tributes and preventable tragedies.
Sunil Narang, a prominent distributor and exhibitor from Hyderabad, recently shared his views on fan celebrations, particularly the extreme measures some fans take during movie releases.
“It’s very bad, very bad,” he said, expressing concern over certain practices like bursting crackers and performing Abhishekam (pouring milk) on actors’ cutouts. “Let them do their cutouts, but not the crackers and Abhishekam. Abhishekam is meant for God, not for human beings. A few fanatics want to show they are big fans of the hero, but they can express it in better ways—like cutting a cake or garlanding a cutout. Burning crackers is unnecessary and dangerous. It can hurt people, damage theatres, and even become life-threatening.”
Narang also addressed a recent incident involving Allu Arjun’s fan celebrations, saying, “That was a small place, an unnecessary incident. I can’t comment on how such things can be regulated. As a distributor, I can’t say, ‘Don’t give premiere shows,’ but such incidents need better management.”
Reflecting on the evolution of fandom, Narang compared today’s fan culture to earlier times. “During the eras of MGR, NTR, and later Rajinikanth, mobilizing crowds was difficult. There were no cell phones, no DJs at theatres, and transportation was a challenge. Today, social media and improved transport make it easier to gather crowds. Back then, fans were more organized. Fanism is a good thing, but it should be expressed properly.”
On the definition of true fandom, he explained, “There’s no fixed definition. If you like someone, you may even pray for them or idolize them. South Indian films thrive on such fandom—like Rajinikanth sir’s iconic following. But it should be celebrated responsibly, without harm or danger.”
When asked about fans reacting violently if a film disappoints, Narang admitted, “Yes, it happens sometimes. When a movie isn’t good, rival fan groups might create trouble to tarnish its image. This is more common in Tamil Nadu than in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana. In Tamil Nadu, fans sometimes clash on social media or damage property. In Telugu states, it’s less frequent. Overall, fans should celebrate their stars in an organized and respectful way. Cutouts and decorations are fine, but safety and responsibility should come first.”
New Era of Fandom
The tragic incidents tied to fan tributes are a wake-up call for the Indian film industry and its massive fanbase. True fandom should celebrate an actor’s work, not endanger lives. Supporting stars through meaningful actions—such as charitable initiatives, environmental campaigns, or community development programs—can be far more impactful and respectful.
As South Indian cinema continues to dominate with Pan-India hits like Pushpa, KGF, and several other films, it’s time for fans to rethink their approach. Stars deserve admiration for their talent and dedication, not deification that puts lives at risk.
By fostering a culture of safe, meaningful celebrations, fans and the industry can ensure that the relationship between stars and their audiences remains one of joy and mutual respect, free from unnecessary danger.
