On Thursday, authorities revealed that Telugu actor Allu Arjun will face legal charges in connection with a tragic stampede outside a Hyderabad theatre during the premiere of his much-anticipated film Pushpa 2: The Rule. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and left her nine-year-old son hospitalized. The actor attended the screening unannounced, a factor that contributed to the chaos.
The Sandhya Theatre, where the event took place, is also under scrutiny for inadequate crowd control measures. Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand commented on the situation, stating, “There was no intimation from the side of theatre management or actors team that they will be visiting the theatre.” The lack of coordination between the actor’s team and the theatre has been cited as a significant failure in ensuring the safety of attendees.
The victim, identified as Revathi, succumbed to injuries caused by asphyxiation when the overcrowded venue turned into a scene of mayhem. Her son, Teja, who was also affected by the stampede, is undergoing treatment for serious injuries. According to reports, Allu Arjun arrived at the theatre accompanied by music director Devi Sri Prasad, drawing an overwhelming crowd eager to catch a glimpse of the star. The lack of prior notification regarding their visit is being considered a critical oversight.
Theatre administration, already facing charges, reportedly failed to implement enhanced security measures to manage the large turnout. Despite knowing of the actor’s plans to attend, no special arrangements were made. CV Anand emphasized this, stating that neither the actor nor the theatre management acted responsibly to ensure public safety.
The situation worsened when the main gate of the theatre collapsed under the pressure of the surging crowd. Security personnel resorted to using lathi charges to control the crowd, but the efforts were insufficient to prevent tragedy. Revathi’s family has called for accountability from both the actor and the theatre management. They have also requested Allu Arjun’s support, both in addressing the incident and in compensating for their loss.
The Hyderabad Police have initiated an investigation into the incident, filing cases under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. “Stringent action as per law will be taken against all the persons responsible for the chaotic situation inside the theatre leading to the death of a person and injury to others,” affirmed Commissioner Anand.
At the time of the report, neither Allu Arjun nor representatives of the Sandhya Theatre had issued a statement. As investigations continue, the focus remains on determining the exact sequence of events and holding all responsible parties accountable.
