The Hyderabad police have blamed Allu Arjun’s team and the management of Sandhya Theatre for failing to make extra security provisions for the actor’s visit on December 4, Wednesday, during which a woman died in a stampede. Revathi (35), who had gone to the premiere show of Pushpa 2: The Rule with her husband and two children, died from suffocation as people thronged in huge numbers to catch a glimpse of the actor. Her eight-year-old son, who was with her, is in a critical condition.
In a press statement, Hyderabad Central Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Akshansh Yadav said, “There was no intimation from the side of theatre management or actors team that they will be visiting the theatre.” The police also blamed Allu Arjun’s personal security team for pushing the crowd and aggravating the situation.
The stampede happened at Sandhya 70mm Theatre at RTC crossroads, where a premiere show of Allu Arjun’s new film Pushpa 2 was set to begging at 9.40 pm. Fans gathered in large numbers, as it is a norm for Telugu stars to visit certain theatres in the area for premiere shows of their films, where they often watch the film, observe audiences’ reaction and sometimes interact with some of them.
However, the DCP said, “The theatre management did not make any additional provisions regarding security to manage crowd. Nor there was any separate entry or exit for the actors’ team though the theatre management had information about their arrival.”
Around 9.30 pm, Allu Arjun visited Sandhya Theatre with his personal security, the police said, “His personal security team started pushing the public which further aggravated the situation as there was already huge gathering at the theatre. Taking advantage of this situation, along with the actor and his security team, a large number of people entered inside the lower balcony area.” That was when Revathi and her son suffocated in the stampede, the DCP said.
“Stringent action as per law will be taken against all the persons responsible for the chaotic situation inside the theatre leading to the death,” he added.
A case has been booked under Sections 105 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The producers of the film, Mythri Movie Makers, reacted to the incident and offered support to the family. “We are extremely heartbroken by the tragic incident during last night’s screening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the young child undergoing medical treatment. We are committed to standing by them and extending all possible support during this difficult time,” they said.
Sarath Chandra Naidu, a member of Allu Arjun’s content team, said that producer Bunny Vas, another associated of the actor, “visited the hospital, personally spoke to the doctors and ensured that the necessary financial assistance for the child’s treatment was provided from our side.”