Telugu actor Allu Arjun was questioned for approximately four hours by Hyderabad Police in connection with the tragic death of a woman during a stampede that occurred at the premiere of his film, Pushpa 2: The Rise. The stampede took place earlier this month at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad when thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the popular actor. During the interrogation, Arjun, who is currently out on bail, stated that he only became aware of the woman’s death the day after the incident, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
Arjun arrived at the Chikkadpally police station around 11 a.m., accompanied by his father, renowned producer Allu Aravind, and his legal team, which included his lawyer, Ashok Reddy. The questioning was carried out under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ramesh and Circle Inspector Raju. Sources indicated that Arjun was fully cooperative throughout the session, answering all the questions posed to him without hesitation. Investigators reportedly asked him whether he was aware that police permission for his visit to the theatre had been denied and if his public relations team had briefed him about the situation at the venue upon his arrival.
Officials also indicated that Arjun might be required to appear for further questioning in the coming days as the investigation progresses. As part of the ongoing inquiry, the actor may also be taken to the Sandhya Theatre, the scene of the stampede, to reconstruct the sequence of events and help authorities establish a clearer picture of what transpired. Meanwhile, CCTV footage from the theatre has surfaced, revealing chaotic scenes where security personnel were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people attempting to force their way into the premises. In the footage, a man can be seen wielding a wooden stick in an effort to control the crowd, but he was ultimately jostled and overpowered as fans surged forward.
Following the incident, security measures around Arjun’s residence have significantly increased. Police have barricaded the area to prevent any further disturbances after a group of individuals, claiming to be students from Osmania University, stormed the actor’s home on Sunday. The group demanded a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the victim’s family and engaged in acts of vandalism, including throwing tomatoes, breaking flower pots, and damaging property. Police arrested six individuals in connection with the attack on Arjun’s residence, but they were released on bail the following day.
The stampede incident occurred on December 4 during the screening of Pushpa 2, resulting in the tragic death of Revathi, a woman who had come to the theatre with her eight-year-old son. The boy was injured in the stampede and was subsequently hospitalized for treatment. Following the incident, police registered cases against Arjun, his personal security team, and the theatre management under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The actor was arrested on December 13 in connection with the case but was granted a four-week interim bail by the Telangana High Court later the same day. He was released from custody on the morning of December 14.
In the wake of this tragic event, Arjun extended financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to the family of the victim, while the producers of Pushpa 2 contributed an additional Rs 50 lakh. Despite these efforts, tensions remain high, with public demands for greater accountability and more substantial reparations for the victim’s family. Critics have also called for stricter crowd management and safety measures at high-profile public events to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This incident has sparked widespread discussions about the responsibilities of public figures, event organizers, and local authorities in ensuring safety at large-scale gatherings. The ongoing investigation seeks to determine the specific circumstances that led to the stampede, the lapses in crowd control, and the roles of all parties involved. As the case continues to unfold, authorities are working to address the underlying issues that contributed to this avoidable tragedy, while fans and stakeholders await justice for the victim and her family.
