On Sunday, a show of the latest of 2023’s big-ticket theatrical offerings, Tiger 3, saw fans setting off literal fireworks to celebrate the actor’s entry sequence, in a theatre in Malegaon, Maharashtra. The scary visuals in the video being circulated online show audience members running for cover in a situation that could have easily turned disastrous.

“It’s highly deplorable. Strict action should be taken against those responsible,” says Shibasish Sarkar, President of the Producers Guild of India. Pranav Garg, exhibitor and managing director, Maya Palace Multiplex, Muzaffarnagar (UP), shares, “The theatre in this video must have been a single-screen cinema with no guards. It is the responsibility of the licensee, or the cinema owner, for the life and safety of the viewers. How can firecrackers be allowed inside? This is very wrong.”

A similar incident had taken place in 2021 during a screening of Khan’s film Antim: The Final Truth, which the actor had condemned in a statement. The latest incident has left exhibitors, too, worried. Akshaye Rathi tells us, “I love to see people have a good time in theatres, but it’s important that we take cognizance of the fact that something like this both damages property and endangers lives.”

Fans had got cakes, garlands and firecrackers at our property, too, but we only allowed them to burst them in a 100% fireproof area in the parking lot, with no vehicles around.

I am against even dancing inside the theatres. This rowdy behaviour must be checked, not only by authorities but also condemned by the stars. Otherwise, in the long term, the audience will stop coming to theatres.