Singer and activist Chinmayi Sripaada has strongly criticised the lack of planning and security at a recent public appearance by Samantha Ruth Prabhu in Hyderabad, after videos showing the actor being overwhelmed by a crowd went viral online.
Reacting to the footage, Chinmayi said the incident was a stark reminder of how poorly managed celebrity events can put artistes at risk. She noted that what unfolded was hardly something a fan should find thrilling, instead exposing a complete breakdown of crowd control and basic safety measures. According to her, expecting actresses to navigate or manage unruly crowds reflects a troubling mindset.
The incident took place when Samantha attended the inauguration of a silk saree store in Jubilee Hills. Once news of her arrival spread, a large number of fans and onlookers gathered at the venue. Despite the presence of private security personnel and police, the situation quickly spiralled out of control, with the crowd pushing through barricades and making it extremely difficult for Samantha to even reach her car. The visuals left many on social media visibly disturbed.
Sharing the video clip, Chinmayi drew attention to the fact that a member of Samantha’s team, Arya, was seen physically shielding the actor, effectively placing himself between her and the surging crowd. She pointed out that he appeared to be using his own body as protection and would likely have suffered injuries in the process. Emphasising that handling a mob that shows little regard for basic civic sense is not part of an actress’s job description, Chinmayi underlined how unfair and unsafe such situations are.
She also questioned whether this kind of frenzy should be dismissed as fan enthusiasm or called out for what it truly is, irresponsible behaviour. For Chinmayi, admiration for celebrities can never be an excuse to abandon empathy, safety, and basic humanity.
This is not the first time Chinmayi has voiced out for an actor and their safety at public gatherings. Previously, when Nidhhi Agerwal struggled to get out of the venue safely during a song launch from The Raja Saab, Chinmayi called the men who misbehaved a "pack of men behaving worse than hyenas". She condemned their behaviour and urged for actors' safety then too.