The Hyderabad residence of actor Allu Arjun, known for his role in Pushpa, was attacked on December 10, 2024, following allegations that he was responsible for the chaos at Sandhya Theatre, which led to the tragic death of a woman during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule. Tensions had been running high after statements from both the actor and the Telangana government over the incident.
On Sunday, members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC) staged a protest outside Allu Arjun's residence, carrying placards and chanting slogans. The protests were fueled by claims that the actor had disregarded safety warnings, leading to the deadly stampede. While police reports confirm the incident, neither Allu Arjun nor his family has filed a complaint regarding the attack. Visuals shared online show broken pots, shattered glass, and damaged plants outside the actor’s home, suggesting the scale of the stone-pelting.
The tragic events that led to this confrontation began on December 4 when Allu Arjun attended the highly anticipated premiere of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre. The Telangana government had earlier denied permission for any public event at the theatre due to safety concerns. Despite this, Allu Arjun proceeded with the appearance, climbing onto the roof of his car and waving to a massive crowd. This act, which started as a celebration, soon spiraled into chaos. In the resulting stampede, a woman named Revathi lost her life, and her child was injured.
According to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the police had explicitly rejected a request for a public event at the theatre due to its cramped location with only one entry and exit point. However, the actor's roadshow, which intensified the crowd’s enthusiasm, aggravated the situation. "The actor's actions were in defiance of police advice," Reddy noted. "Even after the police intervened, the actor reportedly refused to leave the scene, causing further unrest."
The situation worsened when police officers, including the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), attempted to control the crowd. Initially, the ACP requested Allu Arjun to leave to help restore order, but the actor insisted on staying until after the movie had been screened. The DCP eventually warned that the actor would be arrested if he did not comply. Despite this, Allu Arjun continued to wave from the car roof as he left the venue.
In the aftermath of the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested and later released on bail after providing a Rs 50,000 bond. The tragic events have ignited widespread discussions on the responsibility of celebrities during public events, with many questioning whether proper precautions were taken to ensure the safety of fans. As of now, further investigations are underway by the Jubilee Hills Police, with updates expected soon.
Pushpa 2: The Rule, the sequel to the blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise, directed by Sukumar, has garnered immense attention. While the film's release remains a significant cultural moment, the tragic incident at the premiere has cast a shadow over the celebrations, and the actor’s actions continue to be the subject of public debate.