A fire broke out inside a cinema hall in Odisha’s Rayagada district during a special screening of The Raja Saab, the latest Prabhas-starrer, following celebrations by fans inside the theatre. No injuries were reported, officials said.
The incident occurred at Ashok Talkies when fans performed aarti and burst firecrackers during Prabhas’s entry sequence in the film. According to eyewitnesses, an aarti plate reportedly fell near the screen, sparking flames and thick smoke inside the hall. Panic briefly ensued, prompting several viewers to rush out of the auditorium.
Fire doused, no casualties
The fire was quickly brought under control by theatre staff, and the situation was stabilised before emergency services arrived. Police said there were no casualties or injuries, though the incident raised serious concerns about safety during fan celebrations inside cinema halls.
A video of the fire incident has since gone viral on social media, drawing criticism and calls for stricter enforcement of safety norms during film screenings.
Film opens big despite backlash
The Raja Saab, led by Prabhas, was released worldwide on January 9 after facing multiple delays. Despite largely negative reviews, the fantasy horror comedy recorded a massive opening, earning ₹112 crore globally on its first day.
With this, Prabhas became the only Indian actor to have six films cross the ₹100 crore mark on opening day, following the success of Baahubali 2, Saaho, Adipurush, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire and Kalki 2898 AD.
Cast and production
Apart from Prabhas, the film features Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar and Zarina Wahab in key roles. The film is directed by Maruthi and produced by TG Vishwa Prasad and Krithi Prasad under People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment.
Authorities have urged cinema owners and fans to avoid dangerous practices during screenings to prevent such incidents in the future.