Chaos at Bhadrak Jatra: Chairs thrown at actress, actor assaulted on stage

A jatra folk theatre performance in Bhadrak turned chaotic late Tuesday night when an audience member stormed the stage and assaulted an actor during an emotional sequence, triggering panic among spectators. The incident took place at Sahada under Bhadrak block during a live play staged by the Rajnanidini Jatra troupe.

According to reports, the altercation occurred during a dramatic scene where an actress, playing a rape survivor, confesses her ordeal to her family. The actor portraying her brother refused to believe her, even after her parents pleaded with him in the act.

The intensity of the performance reportedly provoked a section of the audience, who mistook the fictional situation for reality. In a sudden outburst, one of them climbed onto the stage, hurled chairs, and attacked the actor playing the brother’s role.

Actor Kartika, who portrayed the brother, alleged that he was slapped multiple times during the chaos.

 “At one intense point of the performance, an audience member climbed on the stage and slapped me three to four times. I could not process what was happening. A chair came flying in and hit the actress playing the role of my mother,” he recalled.

The situation was brought under control after other performers intervened and escorted the assailant away.

Female Artists Speak Out On Safety

Senior actress Tunia Mallik, who played the mother’s role, said the attack could have caused serious injury. 

“The audience needs to understand that anything could have happened. It hit me on the back, but what if it had hit me on the head? People need to be conscious of an artist’s safety on stage,” she said.

Actress Mama, who played the sister, said the violence was directed at the act, not the individuals.

“Several people say a lot of things when we are up on the pandal. But we focus on our performance. Yesterday’s incident seemed directed at the play, not the actress. I do not think the audience will ever hurt a woman on stage,” she stated.

Both actresses, however, urged organisers and local committees to ensure better crowd control and protection for performers, especially women.

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Recurring Incidents In Jatra Performances

Incidents of aggression during jatra performances have been reported repeatedly across Odisha. Artists say instances of bottle-throwing, chair-hurling, and verbal abuse have become increasingly common. Senior performers have raised concerns that such outbursts are affecting morale and making women artists feel unsafe.

Actor Kartika acknowledged that audience reactions often reflect emotional engagement, but said limits must be recognised. “We sometimes take such reactions as a form of appreciation. But if it crosses a line, our work and safety are both compromised,” he added.

Following the disruption, the situation at the venue was stabilised, and the play resumed after a brief halt. As of the last reports, no police complaint had been filed.