Vijayawada: In an unusual turn of events, a devoted fan of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu caused a commotion at a theatre in Vijayawada after bringing a live snake to a screening of the actor’s film Khaleja.
The incident occurred during the re-release of the 2010 action-comedy film as part of Mahesh Babu’s birthday celebrations, which are often marked by his fans with great fervour. While screenings across various parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana proceeded without incident, the situation in Vijayawada took a bizarre twist.
According to reports, the fan entered the cinema with the snake concealed, only to reveal it during the screening. The act left fellow audience members stunned and frightened, prompting immediate chaos in the theatre. Videos from the scene, which have since gone viral on social media, show people vacating their seats in panic as the reptile slithers through the theatre.
Local police were called to the scene and promptly brought the situation under control. No injuries were reported, but authorities have launched an investigation to determine how the individual managed to smuggle the snake into the venue. It remains unclear whether the act was meant as a publicity stunt or a misguided tribute to the film, which features a scene involving snakes.
Actor #MaheshBabu mass fans, celebrates the #KhalejaReRelease in Telugu States, by throwing paper cuttings in theatres.
A crazy Mahesh Babu fan took fandom to a wild level on #Khalej4K re-release.
In a viral video a crazy fan was holding a snake inside the fully packed theatre,… pic.twitter.com/dJAir9PwPS— Surya Reddy (@jsuryareddy) May 30, 2025
Khaleja, directed by Trivikram Srinivas and co-starring Anushka Shetty, was initially released in 2010 and has since gained cult status among Mahesh Babu fans. The film’s re-release, like many other classic Telugu films, aims to capitalise on the growing nostalgia trend within Tollywood fandoms.
This latest incident has sparked debate on fan behaviour and the extent to which admiration for celebrities can sometimes cross dangerous boundaries. While Mahesh Babu is known for his loyal fan base, this occurrence has raised serious concerns about safety and crowd control at such events.
