The controversy surrounding the tragic stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of Allu Arjun’s highly anticipated film, Pushpa 2: The Rule, continues to gain traction, drawing significant public attention and sparking heated debates. The incident, which occurred on December 4, claimed the life of a 39-year-old woman named Revathi and left her young son severely injured. Allegations of negligence, mismanagement, and political blame-shifting have emerged, placing Allu Arjun at the center of a storm of criticism and scrutiny.
During a press meet held on Saturday, Arjun directly addressed the allegations against him for the first time. He began by apologizing for the delay in his response, explaining that he needed time to gather his thoughts and emotionally prepare himself to speak about the matter. Describing the stampede as an “unfortunate accident for which no one was at fault,” he extended his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. The actor emphasized that he was deeply pained by the incident and disheartened by the accusations leveled against him.
Arjun took the opportunity to refute claims that he was responsible for inciting the chaos. He explained that his attendance at the premiere was part of his professional commitment to assess audience reactions and improve his craft. According to him, this was not an unusual practice, as he had attended similar screenings for seven previous films at the same theatre without any incidents. Addressing accusations of misconduct, Arjun clarified that he waved to the crowd from his car as a gesture of respect and to calm the gathering, a common practice among public figures. He firmly denied allegations that he orchestrated a roadshow or deliberately caused disruption.
Earlier in the day, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had reignited the controversy during an assembly session, accusing Arjun of disregarding police advice against attending the premiere. Reddy claimed that Arjun’s actions, including standing through the sunroof of his car to wave at fans, escalated the situation, ultimately leading to the stampede. Responding to these assertions, Arjun maintained that he had no knowledge of any police directives barring his attendance and reiterated that he left the venue promptly when informed about overcrowding.
The actor also took a strong stance against rumors and misinformation surrounding the tragedy. He denied reports that he made insensitive remarks, such as allegedly stating that the incident would enhance the film’s success. Arjun described such accusations as baseless and deeply hurtful, emphasizing that they tarnished his reputation and disrespected his 20-year-long career in the film industry. He accused detractors of engaging in “character assassination” and spreading falsehoods to malign his image.
Criticism also came from AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, who alleged that Arjun’s behavior during and after the incident reflected a lack of responsibility and sensitivity. Owaisi claimed that Arjun failed to prioritize public safety and showed disregard for the victims, further intensifying public outrage. Arjun, however, countered these statements by asserting that he acted responsibly and left the scene as soon as he was informed of the situation’s severity. He added that legal constraints prevented him from visiting the injured or their families, though he expressed his support through a video message and directed his father and film producers to visit on his behalf.
Adding to the situation's complexity, Arjun faced legal troubles following the stampede. On December 13, he was arrested at his residence in connection with the incident and placed in judicial custody for 14 days. Although the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail on the same day, procedural delays meant Arjun had to spend a night in jail. The actor expressed his frustration with the legal proceedings, stating that they restricted his ability to address the matter fully and provide support to the affected families.
The incident has also drawn attention to the event organizers and theatre management, with police attributing the chaos to inadequate crowd control measures. Reports suggest that the lack of planning and failure to manage the large turnout contributed significantly to the tragedy. Despite the ongoing criticism and legal battles, Arjun maintained his innocence and reiterated that his intentions were honorable. He described the experience as a humbling and painful chapter in his career, vowing to learn from the incident and continue striving to meet the expectations of his fans responsibly.
This tragedy has sparked broader discussions about the importance of crowd management, accountability during public events, and the responsibilities of celebrities in ensuring public safety. For Allu Arjun, whose career has been marked by widespread acclaim and a devoted fanbase, the stampede and its aftermath have cast a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory period following the release of Pushpa 2: The Rule. While investigations into the incident are ongoing, the actor continues to face the dual challenges of clearing his name and navigating the emotional toll of the tragedy.
