NAMAKKAL : Panic prevailed during a function attended by actor Namitha when the stage put up for the event collapsed due to overcrowding at Reddipatti near here on Monday night.
Police said that Namitha was invited as a guest to a function organised by the Reddipatti Ilaignar Nadaga Narpani Mantram to honour artistes of a drama troupe for the 50th performance of a play.
When the actor appeared on the stage, her fans rushed to the podium to get a closer look. However, the stage could not bear the heavy weight and collapsed, triggering panic among the spectators.
Soon after the incident, a visibly angry Namitha moved into a nearby house belonging to one of the hosts, sources said.
However, rumour spread among the spectators that Namitha was injured in the stage collapse and a big crowd gathered outside the house.
Frantic organisers called in an ambulance to take her to a hospital, but she refused to move out. She also did not attend the event and left the place.
Meanwhile, director K Bhagyaraj, who was another guest at the event and arrived at the venue after the incident, inaugurated the play from a makeshift stage, sources said.