Telugu actor Allu Arjun appeared virtually before a Hyderabad court on Saturday in connection with the stampede that occurred during the premiere of his film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' in December 2024. The court posted the matter to July 6 for further proceedings.
Stampede During Premiere
The stampede took place on December 4, 2024, at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad's RTC X Roads area, when a massive crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor. The incident led to the death of a 35-year-old woman and left her son hospitalized. The deceased was identified as M. Revathi, a resident of Dilsukhnagar.
According to police, the crowd surged forward uncontrollably as Allu Arjun arrived for the premiere, resulting in the stampede. The actor and the theatre management were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Court Proceedings
Allu Arjun appeared before the Nampally court via video conference from his residence. His legal team argued that the actor had no direct role in the incident and that the theatre management was responsible for crowd control. The public prosecutor opposed the plea, stating that the actor's presence drew the crowd and that adequate arrangements were not made.
The court, after hearing both sides, adjourned the case to July 6, 2026, for further arguments. The actor was granted interim bail earlier in December 2024, which was extended until the next hearing.
Impact and Reactions
The stampede sparked widespread debate about crowd management at film events. The Telangana government announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the family of the deceased. Allu Arjun expressed condolences and offered financial assistance, but the family demanded legal action against those responsible.
According to sources, the victim's husband stated, "We want justice for my wife. The actor and theatre management should be held accountable." The case continues to draw attention as the film 'Pushpa 2' remains a box office success despite the controversy.
