In the wake of a tragic stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre during the December 4 premiere of “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” which resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and critical injuries to her 8-year-old son, BJP leader Anurag Singh Thakur has come forward in defense of Telugu actor Allu Arjun.
Thakur criticized certain Congress leaders in Telangana for their remarks against Arjun, suggesting that such statements could tarnish the reputation of the Telugu film industry.
“The South Indian film industry, especially Telugu cinema, has elevated Indian cinema to international prominence. Unfortunately, such baseless statements risk tarnishing this reputation,” Thakur stated.
He also highlighted that Allu Arjun was honored with a National Award during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, underscoring the actor’s contributions to Indian cinema.
The incident in question occurred when Allu Arjun made a surprise appearance at the theater, leading to an unexpectedly large crowd. As fans surged toward the venue, the theater’s main gate collapsed, resulting in the stampede.
Arjun, along with his security team and the theater’s management, was charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder for not informing police of his attendance, causing the large gathering. He was arrested on December 13 but was granted bail by the Telangana High Court shortly thereafter.
In response to the incident, Arjun expressed heartbreak and pledged financial support for the affected family, offering $29,000 and covering medical expenses for the injured child.
Thakur’s defense of Arjun comes amid criticisms from Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who have accused the actor of negligence. Thakur urged the Congress party to restrain its members from making statements that could harm the reputation of the Telugu film industry, emphasizing the industry’s significant contributions to Indian cinema’s global standing.
The situation has sparked a broader political debate, with BJP leaders accusing the Telangana Congress government of targeting Tollywood figures for political gain. They allege that the government’s actions are attempts to exert control over the film industry and extract money from its prominent figures.
As investigations continue, the incident has highlighted concerns about crowd management and safety measures at large public events, particularly those involving high-profile celebrities. Authorities have warned against the spread of misleading information related to the incident and are urging the public to rely on official sources for updates.
