Telugu actor Allu Arjun found himself at the center of controversy following a tragic stampede at the premiere of his film “Pushpa 2” at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. Despite police denying permission for the event, Allu Arjun attended, leading to a chaotic situation that resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and left her eight-year-old son in a coma.
CCTV footage has surfaced showing police escorting the actor out of the theatre, corroborating claims made by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The Chief Minister stated in the assembly that Allu Arjun’s presence, coupled with his decision to wave to fans from his car’s sunroof, incited a stampede-like scenario.
“Even after the tragic incident, the actor refused to leave the cinema hall, prompting police intervention,” Reddy said. The incident has raised serious concerns about crowd management and safety protocols at public events.
In response to the allegations, Allu Arjun has defended his actions, stating, “Permission was sought from the theatre management. The police cleared the way for me to enter. I am a law-abiding citizen and would have left if I had been informed that there was no permission.” He further clarified, “It was not a roadshow or procession; I simply waved to the crowd before entering the theatre. No police officer asked me to leave; it was my manager who advised me to exit due to the overwhelming crowd.”
The tragic events of the evening have sparked discussions about the responsibilities of public figures and the importance of adhering to safety regulations during large gatherings.
