After KK’s sudden death following his concert at Nazrul Mancha in Kolkata, several reports stated that the venue was overcrowded, while those present at the concert added that the singer was seen sweating and complaining of uneasiness. After making his way back to the hotel, when KK’s discomfort did not subside, the he was rushed to a hospital where he was declared ‘brought dead’. A subsequent report quoted a doctor who conducted KK’s autopsy as saying that he “could have been saved if CPR was administered on time”.

Shocked and shaken following the artiste’s demise, several singers are calling for stringent safety and emergency facilities at concerts. As a part of their pre-requisites, they are now requesting that doctors, medical experts and assistance be on standby at the venue.

Akriti Kakar says she was deeply disturbed by the news of the singer passing away, and has not performed since the incident. She says, “Now, I feel that, most importantly, we artistes should start putting our foot down and walk out the moment we don’t feel fine physically. It could something be as simple as a strange headache. We should never take our health lightly.”

She adds that “as a mandatory requirement, we are asking for ample fans on stage for the band and myself. We are also asking for a medical expert to be present at all times for any assistance. ”

Shilpa Rao shares, “Honestly, we didn’t think about this much before, but now I feel it is necessary to take precautions to avoid any sort of health-related issues at the venue. It can be for anybody – the band, an audience member or the organizer. Be it first aid, a doctor, oxygen or an ambulance – I think all of this is a must at any venue, especially for large capacity events. ”

“Following the sad demise of our friend KK, I think our entire fraternity should be more cautious. We are already insisting on having medical assistance and emergency facilities at every show. I have become much more careful about my routine during shows. I make sure that I and my team get ample rest and that the conditions are conducive for us to function smoothly. A performer puts in more than 100% on stage for each show and I feel all organisers should take utmost care of performers who work with them regularly,” says Richa Sharma.

Nikhita Gandhi, who was set to perform at the same venue as KK in Kolkata, says, “Organizers are now avoiding indoor venues for Bollywood acts, as they attract a large number of people, which can get unmanageable. Following KK’s death, there was a lot of discussion about how the venue (where he performed) was overcrowded and not sufficiently ventilated. From the venue where KK performed, our show shifted to an outdoor space, and we were quite thankful for that. We have now also requested the organizers for our upcoming shows to make medical facilities available at the venue for any kind of emergency.”