Actor Allu Sirish flags late-night loud music, complaint sparks debate

Actor Allu Sirish’s complaint over loud music allegedly being played until 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. near his residence in Shaikpet in Hyderabad has sparked a debate on social media, with the actor later clarifying that his objection was about civic sense and not religion.

Mr. Sirish, a resident of Aparna One in Shaikpet, took to X with a video that showed loud music from a Hanuman temple at Vinobha Nagar had continued for several days and was being played beyond permissible decibel levels.

He said elderly people, children and working residents in his apartment complex were being disturbed by the late-night noise.

Mr. Sirish also said residents had earlier complained to Film Nagar Police and were asked to bear with the disturbance until September 25 owing to the Ganesh idol immersion festivities. According to him, however, the loud music continued even after the festivities had ended.

Hyderabad City Police responded to his post, saying the matter had been shared with the Film Nagar Station House Officer for necessary action. Mr. Sirish subsequently thanked the police for responding.

His post, however, drew considerable criticism from social media users. Several users tagged Mr. Sirish in videos and photographs of movie-related celebrations outside the residence of his brother, actor Allu Arjun, where crackers were seen being burst and crowds gathered. Some questioned whether the same concerns over noise and civic sense applied to such celebrations, with Mr. Sirish also seen in some of the visuals being circulated.

Following the criticism, Mr. Sirish put out another post clarifying his position. The actor said he was religious himself and prayed to Lord Hanuman, but maintained that playing loud music through a DJ set-up at 2 a.m. could not be equated with devotion.

Mr. Sirish said his complaint concerned civic sense rather than religion and also shared photographs from his visits to temples.

The exchange subsequently widened into a discussion online over late-night noise, religious celebrations and whether standards on sound pollution should apply equally to other public and private celebrations.