Actor Nidhhi Agerwal mobbed and manhandled at ‘The Raja Saab’ event; netizens call it ‘disturbing’

The promotional buzz around Prabhas’ upcoming film ‘The Raja Saab’ took an unsettling turn on Wednesday evening after actress Nidhhi Agerwal was surrounded, pushed and visibly distressed while exiting a song-launch event in Hyderabad.

The makers unveiled the track ‘Sahana Sahana’ at Lulu Mall, drawing a heavy turnout of fans. But once the formalities were over, crowd excitement spiralled into chaos as Agerwal attempted to head to her car. Despite the presence of security, people pressed in around her, blocking her path and getting uncomfortably close – leaving the actor shaken by the experience.

Footage from the scene – now circulating widely online – shows her struggling to move through a wall of mobile phones and bodies before finally slipping into her vehicle, looking upset and startled.

The evening presentation saw director Maruthi and Agerwal representing the film, which stars Prabhas in what is billed as his first full-scale horror role. As of Thursday, neither the organiser nor Agerwal had issued a public response regarding the incident.

Internet outrage over crowd behaviour

Social media condemnation was swift, with users slamming the lack of planning and basic personal-space etiquette. Comments included, "What nonsense is this there's absolutely no crowd management. This is mismanagement by organizers."

Many said the incident highlighted how admiration often crosses into intimidation. One user wrote, "This Is Disturbing And Unacceptable. Admiration Should Never Turn Into Intimidation. Celebrities Are Human Beings, Not Public Property. A Little Discipline And Basic Civic Sense From The Crowd Could Have Prevented This. Safety And Respect Must Always Come First."

Others blamed the organisers, pointing out the venue’s limitations. A user posted, "If you can choreograph an entry with cameras and banners, you can damn well choreograph a dignified exit. She escaped from a possible stampede." Another asked, "Why is personal space such a hard concept for crowds?"

Posts criticised both fans and organisers, with one noting, “Don't blame the crowd. Blame the movie team. Is this the way they plan movie events (small or big doesn't matter), cuz the movie itself is a big-budget movie, and everyone knows how many hostels are around Lulu Mall and how small the Lulu Mall lobby is. Worst management."

Someone quoting Agerwal’s apparent remark wrote, “'What the hell was that?' she said that after getting into the car,” while another posted, “feel bad for Nidhhi… fans need to be more respectful to her.” One furious take read, "They are not fans, vultures disguised as fans (sic)."

About ‘The Raja Saab’

Directed by Maruthi, ‘The Raja Saab’ features a heavyweight ensemble including Prabhas, Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Riddhi Kumar, Zarina Wahab, Samuthirakani, Vennela Kishore and Brahmanandam. The film is set for a theatrical release on 9 January 2026, timed for Sankranthi, after multiple delays.

Pitched as Prabhas’ first full dive into horror, the trailer teases trance-like visuals and confrontations with supernatural forces. The project was formally announced in January 2024, though filming began in October 2022.

Who is Nidhhi Agerwal?

Agerwal made her screen debut in Bollywood with ‘Munna Michael’ opposite Tiger Shroff before transitioning predominantly into Tamil and Telugu cinema. Her credits include ‘iSmart Shankar’, ‘Eeswaran’ and ‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu’, among others.