Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, on Saturday, December 21, dubbed the Telugu film industry unempathetic for siding with actor Allu Arjun and ignoring the victims of the Sandhya theatre stampede. He also pointed out that Arjun showed no concern for law and order or the deceased victim, despite being informed of her death while he was at the theatre.
“This is a family that sacrificed so much just to fulfill their child’s wish. Instead of showing empathy or standing with them, the film fraternity chose to gather around the actor. Did Allu Arjun lose a leg or his eyesight? Were his kidneys affected? Does this reflect the priorities of the Telugu film industry?” the CM remarked in the ongoing Assembly session, adding that while everyone from Tollywood dropped in to visit Arjun, no one from the industry visited the child. He also asked what message actors are trying to give the society through such behaviour.
The CM further pulled up Allu Arjun, stating that he showed no concern despite being informed of a death. “While leaving, he waved to the crowd despite being informed that a death had taken place. What kind of apathy is this?” the CM asked.
These statements come in the backdrop of the stampede at Sandhya theatre involving Telugu actor Allu Arjun. Arjun had made a visit to the premiere show of his movie Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4 at the theatre, triggering a stampede which killed 35-year-old Revathi, a resident of Dilshuknagar. Revathi’s 8-year-old son Sri Teja is still undergoing treatment at Hyderabad’s KIMS Hospital.
CM Revanth also announced Rs 25 lakh in financial assistance for Revathi’s family while reiterating his decision to ban benefit shows and special concessions for the film industry in Telangana.
“The time has come for the industry to act with greater compassion and accountability,” he said, adding that despite the Chikadapally police informing Sandhya theatre a day in advance that they would not be able to provide police forces, Allu Arjun went ahead with the visit without an eye on law and order.
The CM added that the Assistant Commissioner of Police had to go and meet Sandhya theatre officials and request Allu Arjun to leave the premises owing to the commotion. “But he refused to leave until the movie ended. It's only when the DCP intervened and said that they would be forced to arrest him, that the actor left,” he said.