In a heartbreaking incident during the premiere of ‘Pushpa 2:The Rule ‘at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4, a stampede claimed the life of a female fan and left her son hospitalised in critical condition. Actor Allu Arjun, who attended the event with his family, expressed his condolences in a 3-minute-47-second video shared on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a heartfelt caption.
“Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally,” he wrote, adding his commitment to support the bereaved family.
Arjun’s emotional message
Speaking in Telugu, Arjun described the crowd at the theatre as “unexpected” and shared he only learned about the tragic incident the following morning. “We found out that a mother of two children, Revathi, unfortunately, died. It’s shocking and deeply saddening. We make films for people to enjoy, and something like this is devastating. None of us feel like celebrating,” he said.
Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally. While respecting their need for… pic.twitter.com/g3CSQftucz
— Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) December 6, 2024
Financial assistance and future support
Arjun announced a donation of ₹25 lakh to Revathi’s family as a gesture of support, emphasising his commitment to helping the children and covering medical expenses. “Nothing we do can replace the loss, but we’re emotionally here for you. From my side, I will take care of the children’s needs as much as possible,” he assured.
The actor also urged fans to prioritise safety, adding, “We make movies so you can enjoy them with your families. Please take care and return home safely from theatres.”
Case against Allu Arjun
The tragedy prompted the police to file a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under sections 105 and 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on a complaint from Revathi’s family. Telangana’s cinematography minister, Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, announced a ban on benefit shows across the state to prevent such incidents in the future.
Pushpa 2 producers, Mythri Movie Makers, and actress Rashmika Mandanna expressed their anguish over the tragedy. Meanwhile, Arjun’s team confirmed that producer Bunny Vas had already reached out to Revathi’s family, offering financial assistance on the actor’s behalf.