Complaint Filed Against Nandamuri Balakrishna Fans for Alleged Goat Sacrifice During ‘Daaku Maharaaj’ Release

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India has lodged a complaint leading Tirupati police to file an FIR (first information report) against a group of Balakrishna fans. They reportedly sacrificed a goat at a theatre in Tirupati to mark the release of ‘Daaku Maharaaj’. The FIR names five individuals, as stated on the PETA India website.

PETA registers FIR on Balakrishna fans:

PETA has filed an FIR against Balakrishna fans following a disturbing viral video post-release of ‘Daaku Maharaaj’. The video depicted fans beheading a terrified goat in a ritualistic celebration at Pratap Theatre. The act, which involved smearing blood on the movie poster amidst cheers, sparked outrage among animal rights advocates after multiple witnesses reported the incident. Authorities responded by registering the FIR under relevant sections: 325 and 270, along with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; sections 4 & 5, read with 6 & 8 of the Andhra Pradesh Animals and Birds Sacrifices (Prohibition) Act, 1950; and sections 3, 11(1)(a) and 11(1)(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, citing animal cruelty and public disturbance.

Saloni Sakaria, Cruelty Response Coordinator at PETA India, stated, “Committing violence against animals and using their blood to adorn a poster doesn’t showcase fandom—it highlights criminal behavior. Genuine fans express admiration through movie tickets and positive social media engagement, not through acts of brutality or cruelty.” As of now, Balakrishna has not issued any statement regarding the incident.

This incident is not an isolated one. Previously, fans of the Nandamuri family exhibited similar behavior during the release of Jr NTR’s film “Devara: Part 1” in September last year, as evidenced by another circulating video on social media.