Hyderabad: Actor Allu Arjun has been arrested by the Hyderabad police in connection with the tragic death of a woman, Revathi, during the premiere of his highly anticipated film Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4. The incident occurred at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, where thousands of fans had gathered to witness the actor’s arrival, leading to a stampede. Revathi, 35, tragically succumbed to her injuries, while her nine-year-old son sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
Incident at Sandhya Theatre
The chaos erupted when Allu Arjun, accompanied by his personal security team, arrived at the theatre, triggering a rush among the crowd eager to get closer to the actor. Witnesses reported that the surge of fans created pandemonium inside the auditorium, with Revathi and her son getting caught in the stampede. The woman was rushed to Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital but could not survive the ordeal.
Investigation and Arrests
Hyderabad police have detained Allu Arjun for questioning at the Chikkadpally police station as part of the investigation into crowd mismanagement and safety lapses at the event. In addition to the actor’s arrest, three individuals connected to the theatre’s management have also been detained. These include M. Sandeep, the owner of Sandhya Theatre; M. Nagaraju, a senior manager; and Gandhakam Vijay Chander, the security head for the event. The arrests have led to charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 105 (right of private defense of property), Section 118(1) (concealing plans to commit an offense punishable with death or life imprisonment), and Section 3(5) of the BNS.
Actor’s Response
Following the incident, Allu Arjun expressed his grief in a video statement shared on social media. “I am heartbroken by the incident that happened during the premiere. My heartfelt condolences go out to Revathi’s family, and I pray for the speedy recovery of her son,” he said. The actor also announced a donation of Rs 25 lakh to support the bereaved family, describing it as a “gesture of support during these challenging times.”
Pushpa 2: The Rule – Record-Breaking Success
Meanwhile, Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar, continues to dominate the box office. The sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise has already crossed the Rs 800 crore mark globally within just four days of its release, cementing its position as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. The film, which stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, is expected to continue its record-breaking run despite the tragedy surrounding its premiere.
