Allu Arjun has emotionally addressed the serious allegations made against him following the tragic stampede during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule. In a press conference held at his residence in Jubilee Hills, the actor responded to claims made by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi in the state assembly.
Both politicians accused Arjun of being aware of the stampede and the resulting fatalities, yet continuing to watch the film. They also criticized him for allegedly making light of the situation. Akbaruddin claimed that Arjun smiled and remarked that the incident would only boost the film’s success when informed about the death of a fan and the hospitalization of a child. Revanth also accused Arjun of holding a “road show” and visiting the theatre without police approval, calling out the actor and the film industry for a lack of humanity.
In his emotional statement, Arjun vehemently denied all these allegations, describing the tragic incident as an “unfortunate accident” that was “nobody’s fault,” including the police’s. He expressed his sorrow for the victim’s family, emphasizing that he had no ill intentions. “The allegations of me saying it’s okay that someone died or was hospitalized are false and hurtful,” Arjun said, visibly emotional. “This is character assassination. I have worked hard for 20 years to build my reputation; would I act in such an irresponsible manner?”
Arjun also clarified that he was not informed of the severity of the situation while at the theatre. He explained that he left the venue when his management warned him about the overcrowding, unaware of the tragic consequences that had occurred. He added that his wife and children were with him, and if he had known the gravity of the situation, he would have left immediately with his family.
The actor stated that he has been in constant touch with the victim’s family, seeking updates on the young boy’s recovery. “I have a child the same age as the boy in the coma,” Arjun said, tearing up. “Am I not a father? How could I not understand the father’s pain?”
Arjun also addressed the legal implications of the case, expressing his regret and noting that he is unable to visit the victim’s family due to legal restrictions. He affirmed that he does not blame anyone, including the police or the government, for the incident. Additionally, he revealed that the Pushpa 2 team intends to open a fixed deposit account to support the hospitalized boy.
This incident occurred on December 4 when Arjun visited Sandhya Theatre for the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule, accompanied by his wife Allu Sneha Reddy and co-star Rashmika Mandanna. The actor’s visit led to a stampede as fans rushed to catch a glimpse, resulting in the tragic death of a woman and critical injuries to her son. Arjun was arrested in connection with the incident on December 13 but was released on interim bail the following day.
As the legal process continues, Allu Arjun’s response to the accusations has sparked a debate about responsibility, media portrayal, and the challenges celebrities face in such high-pressure situations.
