A promotional event for the upcoming film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups starring Yash descended into chaos at Malla Reddy University in Hyderabad’s Dulapally area on the evening of August 22, 2026. The incident occurred when a structure supporting sound equipment and floodlights collapsed amid severe overcrowding, injuring several students and fans who had gathered to see the popular actor.
The event, which began around 5 PM, drew an enormous crowd with estimates suggesting over 45,000 attendees packed into the university campus in the Medchal area. Police officials had earlier issued warnings asking people to move back due to stampede concerns, but many remained close to the stage hoping to catch a glimpse of the film’s stars. As Yash was addressing the crowd around 9:30 PM, several fans climbed onto poles and the steel framework supporting heavy speaker boxes and lighting equipment to get a better view.
The structure became unstable under the weight and suddenly collapsed, sending people and equipment tumbling toward the gathered crowd below. Videos circulating on social media captured the moment of collapse and the chaotic aftermath as organisers and security personnel rushed to manage the situation. The incident created temporary panic among the thousands of students and fans present at the venue.
Between 2 to 4 people sustained injuries in the collapse, according to varying reports. A student identified as Bhanu Prakash suffered a leg fracture, while others received minor injuries to their hands and legs. Some accounts mentioned a young woman losing consciousness, though police statements later disputed this claim. Ambulances transported the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment. Reports indicate that a case has been registered against the institution’s management and the event manager.
Yash immediately paused his speech when the structure fell, asking “Is everything okay there? Please check… be careful. Are you safe?” He later urged others who had climbed onto structures to come down for their safety before continuing with the event. The film’s promotional team included appearances by Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, Akshay Oberoi and Sudev Nair, though Nayanthara and Tara Sutaria reportedly did not attend.
The event was hosted in association with Telangana MLA Chamakura Malla Reddy, who is connected to the Malla Reddy Group of Institutions. He was seen urging the crowd to move back as the gathering grew difficult to control. Dr. Preeti Reddy, who serves as Vice Chairman of Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth and is the daughter-in-law of Chamakura Malla Reddy, has not been named in reports as directly involved in the event’s organisation. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on August 26, 2026, and the mishap has raised serious questions about crowd management and safety protocols at large promotional events held on educational campuses.
