Cultural event at Tirumala sparks uproar over alleged fraud
Tirupati: A cultural programme scheduled at Tirumala's Asthana Mandapam on Friday descended into confusion and protest, as more than 2,000 artistes, many of whom had paid to participate, arrived expecting to perform, only to find entry restricted to a fraction of them.
The programme, titled Sri Srinivasa Kalaarchana, was initially cleared by the Hindu Dharma Prachara Parishad (HDPP), with approval for performances on June 21. However, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) later revoked the permission after receiving complaints that the organiser had collected money from the performers in exchange for slots.
The organiser, Abhishek from Khajipet in Telangana, is said to be running two cultural organisations - Annamacharya Arts Academy and Annamayya Sahithi Kala Vikasa Parishad. Victims allege that he collected amounts between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 from participants under the pretext of securing legitimate performance opportunities in Tirumala.
Following the cancellation of the original event, Abhishek approached the High Court. The court, while taking note of the irregularities, directed the TTD to allow performances by 1,200 artistes, 600 each on June 27 and 28, and ordered a vigilance inquiry to be completed within four weeks.
Despite the clear order, the turnout on Friday far exceeded expectations. With only 600 artistes permitted for the day, hundreds of artistes were left outside the venue, sparking protests and allegations of mismanagement and betrayal. Protesters demanded that all artistes who had paid be allowed to perform as promised.
TTD vigilance and local police rushed to manage the situation and held discussions with the agitating crowd. Following instructions from senior officials, the remaining artistes were eventually allowed to perform, temporarily easing the tensions.
The organiser's manager has since been taken into custody for questioning, and TTD vigilance officials have initiated a formal investigation into the incident, based on complaints lodged by affected artistes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
14 minutes ago
- News18
Watch: Internet Furious Over Couple's Risky Bike PDA On Kanpur-Agra Highway
Last Updated: While the woman was seen lying on the fuel tank of the bike, the man was fearlessly riding the vehicle without a helmet. In this social media-dominated world, people are breaking all the barriers just to go viral. From pulling off dangerous stunts to creating dangerous videos on roads and highways, several videos grab the internet's attention, leaving viewers astonished and alarmed. Speaking in a similar vein, a video is widely circulating online that shows a couple romancing on a two-wheeler on the Agra–Kanpur National Highway. The incident was spotted in the Firozabad district in Uttar Pradesh at around 10 PM. While the woman was seen lying on the fuel tank of the bike, the man was fearlessly riding the vehicle without a helmet. Caught on camera by a passerby, the couple were captured not only violating traffic rules but also their public display of affection (PDA) moment on a speeding bike also putting their lives in danger. When the couple noticed the passersby recording them, they objected to it. In the video, when the individual questioned their inappropriate act, the biker bluntly told him to mind his own business. आगरा–कानपुर नेशनल हाईवे पर कपल के रोमांस का Video –जिला फिरोजाबाद में रात 10 बजे के वक्त लड़का–लड़की चलती हुई बाइक पर ऐसे बैठे नजर आए। लड़की तेल की टंकी पर लेटी हुई थी और लड़का बाइक ड्राइव कर रहा था। किसी राहगीर ने Video बना लिया। ब्रज भाषा में Conversation सुनिए इनका… — Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) June 28, 2025 Social media users also thronged the comments section of the post to share their varied views. The internet community slammed the couple for their inappropriate behaviour, while others demanded strict action against them. 'Sbr rkho police challan kategi is video ke baad (Have patience, police will issue a challan)," read a comment. Another said, 'They need a wonderful treatment at the police station." 'These people don't even care about their own lives," commented a user. An individual stated, 'Vulgarity everywhere… The police should take strict action." This isn't the first time that videos of couples performing dangerous stunts or romancing on speeding bikes have surfaced online. Earlier, a shocking video from Noida emerged online that showed a young man riding a bike with a girl sitting on his lap. Visibly enjoying the ride, the couple's dangerous antics were recorded on camera by people driving behind them. The couple, openly romancing on the road, risked not only their own lives but also shamelessly violated traffic laws. As soon as the video gained traction online, Noida Traffic Police took legal action, issuing a hefty fine of Rs 53,500 under the Motor Vehicle Act.
News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
From Track to Screen: Multiple Mercedes-AMG Models Roar In Brad Pitt's F1 Blockbuster
In this article, we have listed some of the cool models that collected more eyeballs than some of the major scenes in the movie. The Formula 1 has always been a thrilling motorsport globally, filled with speed, adrenaline rush, excitement and god level of engineering. Now, the pure excitement of the paddock, the feel, has been turned into a movie and brought to the big screen as F1: The Movie. The film has already been released in India on July 17 2025. It is directed by Joseph Kosinski in collaboration with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, starring Brad Pitt in the lead role as a seasoned racer. Amid all the twists, turns, and crashes on track, the Mercedes-Benz was somehow able to gain more attention, a big thanks to tech-loaded AMGs that were seen in many scenes. In this article, we have listed some of the cool models that collected more eyeballs than some of the major scenes in the movie. advetisement Mercedes AMG GT 63 Of course, the list has been topped by none other than the AMG GT 63. The German car maker has developed a special edition of the model for the movie. It was featured in a special matte paint finish, featuring gold accents on the borders, which makes it look like not less than a road-legal spacecraft. The company has already launched the street-legal version of the model in the Indian market at the starting price of Rs 3 cr, while the two-seater top model goes up to Rs 3.65 crore (ex-showroom). The latest offering under the GT nameplate has been brought after a break of three-year break. The decision to bring the model is part of the brand's ambitious strategy to roll out eight new models this year. AMG SL Roadster Adding to the dose of modern cutting-edge technology and hybrid muscle, AMG SL Roadster also registered its name in the film. Frankly speaking, there are only a few cars that do not need a price tag as they are pure art. However, in order to make the target audience feel it has to be priced, and starts at Rs 2.47 cr (ex-showroom). The Big-G In some scenes, the movie showcased its iconic G63. The SUV was used multiple behind-the-scenes and pit-lane sequences, transporting characters and equipment with style and authority. In India, the bold SUV comes at the starting price of Rs 2.45 cr, while the top model goes up to Rs 3.30 cr (all ex-showroom) About the Author Shahrukh Shah First Published: June 28, 2025, 14:15 IST
NDTV
35 minutes ago
- NDTV
When Shefali Jariwala Said She Was Paid Rs 7000 For Kaanta Laga: "My Father Was Completely Against it"
New Delhi: The industry is recovering from the shock of Kaanta Laga fame Shefali Jariwala's sudden death at 42. In light of the tragic incident, an old interview of her talking about how much she was paid for the song has resurfaced. Shefali Jariwala had revealed that she was paid Rs 7000 for the hit number and her father was completely against it. What's Happening Shefali Jariwala had become an overnight sensation after the release of her hit remix song Kaanta Laga. She was spotted outside her engineering college by director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, who had offered her the music video. Speaking of the signing amount she received, the actress-model had told the Times of India, "I was in college then and I come from a family of academicians, so my parents told me to focus on my studies. But I wanted to do it because I was getting paid for it. I earned Rs 7,000 from that song, and I wanted to see myself on TV." Furthermore, she revealed how her father was not in favour of her being a part of the song, "My father was completely against it. So first, I took my mom into confidence and then, we both convinced my father. And that song turned out to be such a hit that it was like a fairytale for me. It changed my life completely." About Her Other Projects Shefali first rose to fame with the 2002 music video Kaanta Laga, which became a massive hit. She later appeared in the film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, alongside Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan. She had also participated in Nach Baliye 5 with her now husband Parag Tyagi. She made her digital debut with an adult comedy series titled Baby Come Naa in 2018. However, her Kaanta Laga song video was always the defining moment in her career that was a major pop-culture moment in the 2000s. In A Nutshell In an old interview with Shefali Jariwala that has resurfaced, the actress-model spoke about the amount she got for her iconic number Kaanta Laga. She also spoke about how her father did not support it initially.
