The tragic stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule has sent shockwaves across the country. The incident, which occurred on December 4, claimed the life of 35-year-old Mogudampalli Revathi and left her young son critically injured. As outrage swirls, actor Allu Arjun finds himself caught in the crossfire, facing severe criticism and even legal trouble.
Veteran producer Boney Kapoor recently stepped up to defend the actor, saying the blame being placed on Arjun is unfair. During a candid discussion at the Galatta Plus roundtable, Kapoor said, “It’s not right to hold Allu Arjun responsible. The issue was the uncontrollable crowd, not the actor. Fans flock to theaters out of love and excitement, but proper arrangements are often missing, leading to such tragedies.”
Stampede Leads to Legal Trouble for Allu Arjun
The premiere chaos has led to serious allegations against Allu Arjun, including charges of culpable homicide. Although the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail, the actor continues to face public and legal scrutiny. Many have questioned how much responsibility lies with the event organizers and theater management.
Reports suggest the overcrowding was fueled by inflated ticket prices and the overwhelming number of fans who wanted to catch the film on its first day. Kapoor addressed this during his talk, pointing out that high demand often pushes event organizers to add extra shows without planning adequately for safety.
Growing Industry Support for Allu Arjun
Boney Kapoor isn’t the only one backing Allu Arjun. Several filmmakers and actors have come forward to express solidarity with the actor, saying it’s unfair to single him out. They argue that ensuring public safety at large-scale events isn’t the artist’s responsibility.
“Theaters and authorities should have had better crowd control,” Kapoor added. “We’ve seen such incidents before, and they happen when excitement takes over and there’s a lack of planning.”
Fans on social media have echoed these sentiments, with many calling for stricter rules and better event management to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Pushpa 2: The Rule Breaks Records Amid Controversy
Despite the tragedy, Pushpa 2 has become a massive box-office success. The film has reportedly earned over ₹1700 crore globally, breaking multiple records. Allu Arjun’s intense performance and the gripping storyline have been praised by critics and audiences alike, cementing his place among India’s top stars.
But the triumph has been overshadowed by the devastating stampede. Questions about safety measures at such high-profile events have taken center stage. The incident has sparked a larger conversation about crowd management, especially at events involving mega-stars.
Theater Management Under Fire
Critics have also targeted the management of Sandhya Theatre, blaming them for failing to handle the crowd properly. Eyewitnesses say the entry and exit points were overcrowded, with no clear instructions for the massive gathering.
Theater officials, however, have yet to make a detailed public statement. Some reports suggest they were unprepared for the overwhelming turnout, despite the film’s hype.
A Lesson for the Future
This heartbreaking incident has become a wake-up call for the entertainment industry. With fan enthusiasm reaching new heights, there’s a pressing need for better safety protocols at premieres and major events. While the excitement around films like Pushpa 2 is a testament to their popularity, it’s also a reminder of the responsibilities that come with such massive fanfare.
For now, as Pushpa 2 continues its record-breaking run, the focus remains on justice for the victims and ensuring such tragedies don’t happen again.
