Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday criticised Telugu actor Allu Arjun for attending the screening of his film Pushpa 2 on December 4 despite police denying permission for his visit. The CM stated that the permit was denied citing crowd management concerns. On December 4, actor Allu Arjun visited Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad which reportedly created a stampede like situation and led to the death of a woman and injuries to her eight-year-old son.
Addressing the Assembly, AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi raised the issue and alleged that the actor was giving a false message that the government was doing injustice. Akbaruddin Owaisi said, “I do not want to name that famous film star, but as per my knowledge, when that film star was told that there was a stampede outside the theatre, two children had fallen and a woman had died, then that star smiled and said that ‘the film is going to be a hit now.”
“Despite this, he watched the entire film and was waving his hand towards the crowd while leaving. He is giving the message that the government is doing injustice… he did not even bother to go and inquire about their condition (the injured),” he alleged.
Further, CM Reddy also alleged that Allu Arjun disregarded public safety by participating in the event. CM Revanth Reddy claimed that the hero was negligent and was not moving out of theatre despite informing about death, as per the report on PTI. The CM slammed movie industry personalities for meeting the actor at his house after the arrest and alleged lack of sympathy to the child receiving treatment at the hospital.
Videos circulating online showed the actor waving to fans from the sunroof of his car which reportedly exacerbated the crowd surge.
On December 2, theatre management reportedly requested police security for the event. However, the application was denied. Despite this, the actor attended the screening leading to chaos as thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of him. CM Reddy claimed the police had to intervene and remove the actor from the premises following the stampede.
The CM said: “The ACP went to ask the hero to leave to gain control of the mob. At first, the actor refused saying that he would leave after finishing the movie. Then the DCP had to intervene, asking the hero to leave or he would be arrested as two people had already fallen outside… Even while leaving, he again came out of the roof and did a roadshow.”
#WATCH | Hyderabad | On Sandhya Theatre incident, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy says, “Akbaruddin Owaisi submitted a request to the Chikkadpally police station on 2nd December to make arrangements for the cast and crew of Pushpa 2 coming to Sandhya theatre for the film’s release on… pic.twitter.com/3eNZVGjduq
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2024
Criticising the lack of empathy shown by the film fraternity, Reddy said, as per the report, “I appeal to the top film personalities that they should not be inhuman”.
He added that the government would not tolerate negligence in such incidents and emphasised that no one would receive special privileges when public safety is compromised.
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