Prabhas's 'Darling' re-release turns violent; fan beaten up at theater
What's the story
The 16th anniversary re-release of Prabhas's film Darling turned violent at the Sudarshan 35MM Theatre in Hyderabad. A video from the venue has gone viral, showing a fan being brutally beaten up. The incident reportedly started after theater staff allegedly removed certain songs from the screening, leading to an argument between fans and management.
Conflict escalation
Theater staff allegedly assaulted fan after argument
Fans alleged that the theater management's decision to remove certain songs from Darling's screening ruined their viewing experience. When one fan questioned this, tensions escalated, and staff reportedly assaulted him, leading to outrage among other attendees. However, the management claimed that the fan was drunk and misbehaved with female staff members, using abusive language and making inappropriate gestures.
Film's performance
'Darling's re-release aimed to boost Telugu box office
Released in 2010, Darling was a major contributor to Prabhas's stardom. Directed by A Karunakaran, the film also starred Kajal Aggarwal. The re-release of the film aimed to increase footfall in theaters across Telugu states, which have been struggling at the box office. With Ustaad Bhagat Singh's underperformance and Dhurandhar 2 slowing down after its second week, with several shows being canceled due to low occupancy, Darling's 16th-anniversary re-release provided a much-needed boost.
Box office success
'Darling' earns nearly ₹5 crore in 2 days
The re-release of Darling has reportedly earned nearly ₹5 crore in two days, with around 20% occupancy, according to TrackTollywood. The film was screened in multiple theaters across the Telugu states to capitalize on Prabhas's fan base and boost box office numbers during a dry spell. However, the incident of violence at one theater has raised concerns among filmgoers about safety and management practices in public spaces.