Fans miss the show despite expensive tickets; 5km traffic jam at Ramoji Film City
Hyderabad, November 9, 2025 – What was meant to be a memorable evening with music maestro AR Rahman turned into a nightmare for hundreds of fans as massive traffic jams prevented them from reaching the concert venue at Ramoji Film City on time.
Traffic Chaos Ruins Evening
Kilometres of traffic piled up on roads leading to Ramoji Film City, with cars barely moving despite fans leaving early to reach the venue. The concert, held on Friday evening, saw unprecedented congestion that left many attendees stranded on the roads for hours.
“We left three hours early, thinking we’d reach comfortably. But we’ve been stuck in the same spot for over two hours now. The concert has already started and we can’t even see the venue yet,” said Rajesh Kumar, a frustrated concert-goer stuck in the jam.
Expensive Tickets, Wasted Money
Adding to the frustration, many fans who had purchased tickets worth ₹15,000 ended up reaching the venue only after the concert was over. Despite their enthusiasm and planning, poor traffic management at the venue completely derailed their plans.
“I spent ₹15,000 per ticket for my family. We drove all the way from Kukatpally, left by 4 PM for a 7 PM show, and we’re still stuck here at 8:30 PM. This is absolutely ridiculous,” complained Priya Sharma, who was traveling with her teenage children.
Reports indicate that the traffic jam stretched for approximately 5 kilometers, with some attendees claiming it was even longer. The congestion affected not just concert-goers but also regular commuters and residents in the area.
Poor Traffic Management Blamed
Attendees and locals alike have blamed poor traffic management and inadequate planning for the chaos. Despite Ramoji Film City being a well-known venue that has hosted large events before, organizers appeared unprepared for the volume of traffic generated by the AR Rahman concert.
“There were no clear directions, no traffic police to manage the flow, and no alternative routes suggested. It was complete chaos,” said Mohammed Aziz, who eventually turned back without attending the concert.
Social media was flooded with complaints from frustrated fans, with many posting videos and photos of the seemingly endless line of stationary vehicles. The hashtag #RamojiFilmCity trended locally as disappointed concert-goers vented their anger online.
Venue Access Issues
The narrow approach roads to Ramoji Film City, combined with inadequate parking arrangements and poor crowd management, created a perfect storm for the traffic disaster. Many attendees reported that even after reaching the vicinity of the venue, they couldn’t find parking or access roads were completely blocked.
“We could see the venue lights from where we were stuck, but there was absolutely no way to get there. After waiting for three hours, we just gave up and turned back,” said Venkat Reddy, who had traveled from Warangal specifically for the concert.
Calls for Better Planning
The incident has raised serious questions about event management and traffic planning for large-scale concerts in Hyderabad. Many are demanding that authorities ensure better coordination with traffic police and proper logistics planning for future events.
“Ramoji Film City is on the outskirts with limited road access. When you’re expecting thousands of people for an AR Rahman concert, you need proper traffic management plans, adequate parking, and maybe even shuttle services from different points,” suggested traffic management expert Kiran Malhotra.
Organizers Yet to Respond
As of now, neither the concert organizers nor Ramoji Film City management have issued any official statement regarding the traffic chaos or offered refunds or compensation to those who missed the show despite purchasing tickets.
The fiasco has left a bitter taste for many AR Rahman fans who had been eagerly looking forward to the concert, with their expensive evening out ending in frustration and wasted money.
For future large-scale events at Ramoji Film City or similar venues, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of comprehensive traffic and crowd management planning.
