Social media is flooded with videos and photos of disappointed fans after the makers of Devara: Part 1 canceled the highly anticipated pre-release event in Hyderabad. The pan-India film, starring Jr NTR, is set to release on September 27, 2024, but today's event (September 22) was unexpectedly called off due to an overwhelming crowd.

The event was scheduled to take place at the Novotel Hotel, where fans from across the Telugu states and other parts of the country gathered in huge numbers, eager to catch a glimpse of Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, and the film's team. However, the turnout exceeded the venue's capacity, causing chaos as many were denied entry due to space limitations. Frustrated fans became unruly, leading to damage to the hotel property.

Despite police intervention, the situation spiraled out of control, forcing the event's cancellation. It remains unclear if the makers will reschedule the event at a different venue or proceed with the film’s release without a pre-release celebration.

Reports suggest that Jr NTR, who was set to attend, was advised not to leave for the venue due to safety concerns as fans attempted to access the stage from all sides. Director Trivikram, who was the Chief Guest, also had to turn back.

Critics have pointed to improper planning by the event organizers, who allowed more fans than the venue could accommodate. Originally planned as an outdoor event, the gathering was moved indoors due to rain, further contributing to the chaos.

Devara: Part , directed by Koratala Siva, features Jr NTR, Saif Ali Khan as the antagonist Bhaira, and Janhvi Kapoor as Thangam in lead roles. Produced by Yuvasudha Arts and N.T.R. Arts, the film will release in multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.

For the uninitiated, Devara will be released in two parts. In a previous interview with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Jr NTR shared that the team initially had no plans to split the movie into two parts. However, as filming progressed, the character-driven narrative made the decision necessary.