It has been a happening week for Mahesh Babu.

The biggest one has of course been the popular release of his much-delayed Athadu.

Though the reports have been encouraging and he has reason to feel elated, the bitter news for him came in the form of the death of one of his fans in a stampede. He died while trying to purchase a ticket to watch his idol's latest flick.

According to police, an auto-driver, Masthan (24), anxious to watch the film on the first day of its release town, went to a crowded theatre in the morning. He was crushed to death in the stampede that broke out soon after the ticket counter was opened.

Elsewhere, things seem to come to a head as far as the case involving Mahesh over anti-piracy raids. Mahesh and director Gunasekar have been in the dock over some vigilante raids they conducted in some shops soon after the release of Arjun. Some video shop owners were reportedly roughed up during the raids.

The case that has been dragging for long came up for hearing yesterday. But the hearing was again put off to August 22.