It was no ‘mela’ but a matinee idol that created a stampede in the temple town of Madurai the other day.

Several members of the Vijay Fans' Association received bruises, lost their chappals and got their dresses torn as the police resorted to a lathi charge to control the mob that had gathered to witness the shooting of the film 'Madura' in front of the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai Tuesday.

Police said the film producers did not inform them about the shooting of a scene in which Vijay, who acts as a police officer, holds discussion about a law-and-order problem (yes!) with a junior official near the temple. As the scene needed a crowd, members of the association had gathered at the venue. According to the police, suddenly the crowd swelled. There was a stampede which called for police action.

According to the association office-bearers, the film producers had sentimental attachment to Madurai since several successful films including 'Gilli' were shot here.