The loss of innocent lives in the recent Karur stampede has "truly shattered" music director Santhosh Narayanan, who condemned the political environment that he believes played a part in the disaster. Talking to X earlier today, the composer expressed his "hurt, anger and helplessness" over the horrific stampede in Karur. The stampede occurred during a political rally for actor Vijay, for whom Santhosh worked as a composer in 2017’s Bairavaa. Initial investigations confirmed that tree branches fell onto members of the public, which sparked panic and subsequently contributed to the stampede. However, opposition party officials and political commentators immediately put the blame on Vijay, claiming his late entry to the rally contributed to an overcrowded situation.

Santhosh Narayanan directly linked the event to systemic corruption. In his opinion, "the unfathomable greed, incessant hunger for power, fame, the absolute ease with which public perception can be manipulated, combined with a demonic thirst for more power and thereby more fortunes has led us here."

He insisted that this failure "will only continue unless we come together as one family to create an ecosystem that enforces transparency." Santhosh concluded his statement by sending his love and prayers for the victims, asking, "May the beautiful, innocent souls lost in this tragedy rest in peace."