Telugu superstar Allu Arjun addressed the media and his fans on Saturday after being released from jail in connection with the tragic stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre. The incident, which occurred during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule, resulted in the death of a 39-year-old woman and injuries to her eight-year-old son.
Speaking outside his residence in Jubilee Hills, the actor reassured his fans, saying, “There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate.”
The 41-year-old expressed deep regret over the stampede, terming it an “unintentional” tragedy. He offered condolences to the victim’s family and described the ordeal as a difficult time for him and his loved ones. “For the past 20 years, I have been going to theatres to watch movies, including those of my uncles. This has always been a joyful experience, but this time, things took an unexpected turn,” he said.
“I would like to once again express my condolences to the family. It was an unfortunate incident. We are sorry for what happened, which was totally out of our control,” the actor added.
The Stampede Incident and Legal Fallout
The stampede-like situation occurred on December 4, when thousands of fans gathered outside Sandhya Theatre to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun at the premiere. The police later registered a case against the actor, his security team, and the theatre management following a complaint from the deceased woman’s family.
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Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday morning and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. However, the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail, emphasizing his right to life and liberty as a citizen. Justice Juvvadi Sridevi noted that the actor could not be held prima facie responsible for the incident, as he was present only for the movie premiere.
Despite receiving bail, a delay in the jail authorities obtaining the bail order resulted in Arjun spending Friday night in custody.
Political Reactions to the Arrest
The arrest of the superstar triggered a wave of political reactions, with the BJP and BRS criticizing the ruling Congress in Telangana. They questioned the treatment of the actor and suggested political motives behind the handling of the case.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy defended the decision, asserting that “the law is equal for everyone, and it will take its course.”
With interim bail granted for four weeks, Allu Arjun now awaits further legal proceedings. Fans and industry insiders have rallied behind the actor, urging authorities to ensure fair treatment.
As the investigation unfolds, the tragic incident has cast a shadow over the success of Pushpa 2: The Rule and raised questions about crowd management at large-scale public events.
