Hyderabad: Film actor Allu Arjun appeared before the Chikkadpally police for questioning concerning the tragic stampede at the Sandhya 70 MM theatre on December 4. The incident claimed the life of 35-year-old Revathi and left her nine-year-old son critically injured. Following this, Allu Arjun, who was summoned, complied with the police notice after consulting his legal team at his residence. His father-in-law, K Chandrashekhar Reddy, accompanied him during this troubling time.
According to the Chikkadpally police, the notice read, “This is to inform you... your presence is quite necessary... to elicit answers from you about the incident.” Chikkadpally Inspector B Raju Naik highlighted the significance of Arjun's presence to determine the events leading to the tragic stampede, mentioning concerns about his presence at the screening where permission had reportedly been denied.
On December 4, chaos unfolded when Allu Arjun made an unannounced appearance at the screening of his anticipated film, 'Pushpa 2'. Although he intended to engage with his fans, the moment his arrival became public, it caused tumult as hundreds gathered at the venue. Eyewitness accounts indicated the police had limited crowd control measures, which spiraled the situation out of control, leading to the fatal stampede.
Allu Arjun's condition worsened as he found himself at the center of controversy. Following the incident, he was arrested and briefly detained but was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court after judges cited his fundamental liberty rights. Nonetheless, police did not take the matter lightly, charging Arjun and his security team with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The situation compounded politically when Congress MLA Bhupathi Reddy criticized Allu Arjun’s handling of the incident. At a public meeting, Reddy used harsh language, emphasizing his discontent with both the actor's behaviour and the alleged endorsement of illegal activities through films. “We are issuing a 100 percent warning to you. If you continue with the same behaviour, we won’t allow your films to run under Telangana government rule,” he stated, expressing solidarity with the sentiments of those affected by the tragic event.
Despite the storm surrounding him, Allu Arjun asserted his innocence. He defended his actions by stating, "I simply waved at the crowd and entered the theatre. No police officer asked me to leave. My manager advised me to exit because the crowd was getting too large.” His remarks came after the criticism, signalling his stand against the rampant misinformation he believed had emerged following the incident.
Public opinion has sharply divided on the actor’s role and the aftermath of the screening stampede. Some supporters decried the treatment of Allu Arjun, portraying him as an innocent victim of circumstance, others condemned his apparent negligence. This disparity intensified after protests erupted outside his home where demonstrators vandalized his property, with six individuals arrested for their actions.
His father, Allu Aravind, has publicly stated, “Everyone has seen what happened at our house today. But it is time for us to act accordingly.” He called for restraint during the emotionally charged aftermath, urging the public not to escalate conflicts and reaffirming the resolve of law enforcement to handle the situation appropriately.
Adding another layer to the public's response, many were shocked by the scale of vandalism at Arjun's Jubilee Hills residence. Various reports indicated police presence was heightened following the public outcry about the tragedy, leading to heightened security protocols to protect Allu Arjun and his family as the investigation progresses.
The authorities are still weighing the factors surrounding the stampede, questioning whether crowd management procedures were adequate and whether Allu Arjun's actions contributed to the disorder. Complaints filed against him and his team seek to address these concerns adequately.
During these tribulations, the actor still managed to keep his spirits up, thanking the production company for their support via social media. He expressed, “Records are meant to be broken and new ones push everyone toward excellence,” indicating his resilience and commitment to his craft amid adversity.
Moving forward, Allu Arjun is set to collaborate with authorities to reconstruct the scene of the stampede, as the investigation seeks to unravel the full details of the incident and determine accountability. The tragedy has sparked discussions about safety measures and practices at public events, amplifying dialogue on responsibility and the big impacts public figures can have.
With the investigation still active, many are left to ponder how this controversy, born from the excitement surrounding Allu Arjun's films, highlights larger societal issues of crowd control and celebrity influence, setting the stage for potential reform.
