The Hyderabad residence of actor Allu Arjun faced vandalism last week as stones were hurled by members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU-JAC). This incident was part of widespread protests stemming from the tragic chaos at Sandhya Theatre on December 4, which resulted in the death of 32-year-old Revathi and left her injured child hospitalized.
Reports circulated on social media showed shattered glass, broken flower pots, and damaged plants outside the actor's home as tensions simmered between Allu Arjun and the Telangana government. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had previously stated in the Assembly session on December 22, calling for heightened awareness among the public about safety concerns, particularly asserting the police had denied permission for events at the Sandhya Theatre.
Despite these warnings, Allu Arjun reportedly attended the premiere of his film Pushpa 2: The Rule, even conducting a roadshow by climbing onto his car roof, inciting the crowd at the congested RTC X Road leading to the tragic incident. Following the outcry from the protests, Allu Arjun expressed heartfelt condolences via social media, stating, “It was a tragic accident, and my heart goes out to the family. I’ve been monitoring the injured child’s recovery and am relieved to hear of his improvement.” He emphasized his disconnection from any blame, describing the allegations he faced as “character assassination” and asserting, “I had no direct involvement in the unfortunate events.”
On December 22, protests culminated with accusations labeling Allu Arjun responsible for the stampede, leading to the attack on his home. Eyewitness reports indicated these protests included slogans and physical altercations with security personnel attempting to maintain order. DCP for West Zone, Hyderabad, provided insights, stating, “Today at around 4:45 p.m., some persons holding placards shouted slogans outside Arjun’s residence when one individual mounted the compound and began throwing stones.” The police intervened, and arrests were made, with six members of OU-JAC taken under custody for their actions.
Notably, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla used the occasion to criticize the Congress government’s handling of the situation, alleging it was “vendetta politics” against Allu Arjun for not campaigning for the party. He added, “The person who threw stones at Allu Arjun's house has turned out to be a close associate of the CM Revanth Reddy and connected to the Kodangal Youth Congress,” stressing it points to broader political rifts. Poonawalla's comments echoed memories from the Emergency period, where similar tactics were used against artists, arguing, “They are taking revenge on Allu Arjun for not campaigning for Congress,” and branded the incident as systemic abuse of power.
Meanwhile, Allu Arjun visited the Chikkadpally Police Station for questioning related to the stampede case, where he was held for four hours and previously detained on December 13, only to be released the following day after posting bail. The actor shared his intent to financially support Revathi's family, pledging Rs 25 lakh for the grieving family and assuming responsibility for the medical expenses of the surviving child.
The court later granted bail to the six accused of vandalizing Arjun’s residence, manding them to pay Rs 10,000 each as compensation. According to sources, those accused include prominent local political figures, with the Hyderabad High Court asserting it was regrettable these actions were tied to current political disputes.
Media attention also turned to the emotional state of Allu Arjun's family, as his children were moved from their home amid the unrest. Allu Aravind, the actor’s father, condemned the attack on their residence, stating to reporters, “Incidents like these should not be encouraged.” He called for community resilience and mutual respect amid turmoil, emphasizing the responsibility of the public to uphold civility during protests.
This troubling narrative intricately weaves celebrity status, political exploitation, and community conduct. Amid the chaos, Allu Arjun’s sincere appeals for peace, urging fans and the public to remain decorous, stand as poignant reminders of the bridges needed to mend societal ruptures.
