A significant incident occurred on January 9, 2026, at Ashok Talkies in Rayagada, Odisha, where a fire erupted inside a cinema hall during a screening of the much-anticipated Prabhas-starrer, 'The Raja Saab'. The film, a horror-comedy, had just been released, coinciding with the Sankranti festival, and drew massive crowds for its opening day shows. The fire was reportedly sparked by overzealous Prabhas fans who, in a display of celebration during the actor's grand entry scene, performed 'aarti' by lighting lamps and bursting firecrackers or confetti inside the theatre. Videos circulating on social media showed flames near the screen area, leading to momentary panic among the audience. However, the situation was swiftly brought under control by quick-thinking fans and theatre staff, who acted to douse the flames. Crucially, all credible sources confirm that no casualties or serious injuries were reported as a result of the incident, and the cinema hall did not suffer any severe damage. The screening was temporarily halted as a precautionary measure before resuming. This event highlights recurring concerns about public safety in crowded venues and the extreme nature of fan celebrations in India, prompting discussions on responsible conduct in cinemas.