Telugu actor Allu Arjun is set to face charges following a tragic stampede outside Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, left a 35-year-old woman dead and her nine-year-old son hospitalized in critical condition.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand revealed that the theatre management and the actor will be booked for failing to ensure adequate security measures to manage the large crowd that gathered to see Arjun and music director Devi Sri Prasad. The actor's unannounced visit exacerbated the chaos.
Police stated that neither the theatre management nor Arjun’s team informed authorities about the visit. Additionally, no separate entry or exit was arranged for the actor, despite the theatre being aware of his arrival.
When Arjun arrived at 9:30 PM with his personal security team, hundreds of fans rushed to the premises, causing the situation to spiral out of control. Efforts by his security personnel to manage the crowd reportedly worsened the stampede.
In the chaos, a woman named Revathi and her son, Teja, were suffocated. Despite immediate CPR and medical assistance, Revathi was declared dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital. Her son remains critical and is undergoing treatment.
The woman’s family, residents of Dilsukhnagar, have demanded accountability from both Allu Arjun and the theatre management. They are seeking a direct response from the actor and financial support for their loss.
A case has been filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on the family's complaint. Police have assured stringent action against those responsible for the mismanagement leading to the fatal incident.
In a statement, Pushpa 2 production house Mythri Movie Makers expressed deep sorrow over the incident, pledging their support to the affected family. "We are committed to extending all possible assistance during this difficult time," the statement read.