The tragic stampede during the premiere of Pushpa 2 has continued to stir controversy, now taking a full political turn. Even after Allu Arjun’s release from jail, the issue has only escalated, igniting heated debates in Telangana’s political and film circles.
The controversy took a new turn when numerous Tollywood celebrities visited Allu Arjun’s residence after his release to express their support and condolences over his arrest. The visits were covered live, with media showcasing which celebrities arrived, their reactions, and their solidarity with the actor. This public show of support seemed to aggravate the Telangana government.
During the latest Telangana Assembly session, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy strongly criticized the actions of Allu Arjun and the Tollywood celebrities. The CM questioned why these celebrities chose to visit Allu Arjun instead of showing concern for the young boy critically injured in the stampede, fighting for his life in the hospital.
In his fiery remarks, Revanth Reddy said, “Did Allu Arjun lose his leg or his eye for people to sympathize with him like this? Instead of showing support to the victims, they are celebrating an actor who was at the center of the controversy.” He also implied that Allu Arjun’s “irresponsible actions” led to the stampede.
Revanth Reddy criticized Allu Arjun for ignoring police warnings about crowd control at the theatre, which had only one entrance and exit. Despite the police’s advice to avoid inviting the film crew, Allu Arjun arrived in an open-top car, which caused a commotion and led to the stampede. Reddy also condemned Allu Arjun for not visiting the bereaved family but instead hosting a gathering of film personalities at his home to express support.
The Chief Minister further pointed out that, despite being informed about the tragic events, Allu Arjun continued to watch the movie until midnight, only leaving after being warned by the police. Reddy emphasized that while the government supports the film industry, it will not tolerate incidents that risk human lives. He warned that such behavior would not be excused under his leadership, and special exemptions for the film industry would not be granted if people’s lives are lost.
AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi also joined the criticism, accusing Allu Arjun of showing a lack of empathy towards the victims, particularly for his reported comment that the movie would become a hit after the tragedy. This incident has led to a larger discussion about the responsibilities of the film industry and public figures in ensuring safety at public events.
In response, Allu Arjun recently spoke out about the incident during a press conference at his Jubilee Hills residence. He labeled the accusations against him as part of a “character assassination” campaign. The actor expressed his sadness over the incident, calling it “very unfortunate” and stated that it was “completely accidental.” Allu Arjun offered his condolences to the affected families and shared that the condition of a child hospitalized after the stampede was improving.
Allu Arjun also denied the false claims being spread about him and made it clear that he didn’t want to blame any department or politician for what happened. He emphasized that these accusations were attempts to damage his reputation. The actor reassured his fans that he was focused on the well-being of the victims, was getting updates about the situation, and was committed to preventing such incidents in the future.
The police, in their statements, revealed that despite being briefed about the fatality outside, Allu Arjun refused to leave the theatre and insisted on watching the entire film. Authorities, including ACP L Ramesh Kumar, attempted to convince the actor to leave, even assuring him that the road would be cleared for his exit. However, Allu Arjun remained adamant. It was only after the DCP intervened and gave him a 15-minute deadline to leave that the actor finally agreed to exit the theatre.
Telangana DGP in-charge Jitender emphasized the importance of public safety over film promotions, stating that while Allu Arjun and other celebrities are heroes on screen, they must also understand the responsibility they hold towards society. He stressed that the safety and security of citizens must always come first. B Raju Naik, SHO of the Chikkadpally area where the theatre is located, also spoke at a press conference. He revealed the emotional toll the incident had on him, describing how the tragic death of a woman named Revathi, who passed away in his arms, haunted him. Naik expressed his prayers for the woman’s soul and for the speedy recovery of her child.
This issue has now taken a serious turn as the police are preparing to cancel the actor’s bail, backed by new evidence. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming days.
