
(Image source from: Oneindia.com)
The police in Hyderabad questioned Telugu actor Allu Arjun after a stampede at a local theater resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and severe injuries to her 8-year-old child. Arjun, who is 41 years old, had been summoned by the police the previous day to assist with the investigation. The police asked him if he knew that they had denied permission for him to attend the premiere, who made the decision to proceed despite the lack of permission, whether any officer informed him about the stampede, and when he became aware of the woman's death. The investigation is focusing on whether Arjun had permission to appear at the theater and interact with fans outside, which is located in a neighborhood with other cinemas. Arjun had been arrested by the police on December 13, nine days after the stampede incident, and was later sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
The Telangana High Court granted bail to the individual, citing their fundamental right to liberty and raising concerns about potential police overreach. The court stated that just being an actor does not justify holding the person in this manner. The police have claimed that the unannounced arrival of Allu Arjun at the theatre for a special screening of his new film caused a stampede, as large numbers of his fans pushed and shoved each other to catch a glimpse of the actor. This resulted in the death of a young woman, whom the police identified as Revathi. Revathi and her son were pulled out from the crowd by the police, who provided emergency first aid and rushed them to the hospital. The police assert that Arjun arrived at 9:30 pm, and as news of his arrival spread, hundreds of people gathered at the main entrance, where he spent 15-20 minutes. His security team and the theatre's bouncers then started pushing the crowd back, which further escalated the situation.
According to the police's account, Allu Arjun had entered the theater by the time they were building the timeline. The police claimed that Arjun had held an impromptu roadshow despite warnings. They also said the bouncers were behaving recklessly, pushing everyone aside and focusing only on the VIP, Arjun. However, Arjun has denied holding any roadshow, stating that he simply waved to people and went inside, and his manager told him to leave due to the crowd. Arjun's office has also countered the police's claim that they were not informed about his arrival, by making public a letter dated 48 hours prior to the screening that requested security for Arjun and his co-stars. The police have maintained that no details were provided, and neither Arjun's security team nor the theater management made the request in person, as is the protocol.
The theatre owner and staff have been charged with a crime for the tragic incident, and several people, including the actor Mr. Arjun, were arrested. However, Mr. Arjun's fellow actors have defended him, saying he is not responsible for the actions of others. Mr. Arjun has also denied the allegations against him, describing the incident as "very unfortunate" and criticizing "misinformation" and "character assassination" against him. Public opinion has been divided, with a protest outside his home, where a mob vandalized his property. The woman's husband has stated that he does not blame the actor and is willing to withdraw the case against him. Mr. Arjun has announced financial support for the family, and the producers of his film have also provided additional compensation.