Telugu superstar Allu Arjun is making headlines for a tragic stampede incident that occurred during the ‘Pushpa 2’ premiere show. The incident, which claimed the life of 35-year-old Revathi and left her 9-year-old son Sri Tej critically injured, has spiraled into a series of legal, personal, and public challenges for the actor. Here is a detailed timeline of the events surrounding the controversy and its aftermath:
December 4, 2024: The much-anticipated ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ was set for a grand release on December 5 across multiple languages. A special premiere was organized on December 4 in select theatres in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bengaluru. Allu Arjun, accompanied by his family and co-star Rashmika Mandanna, attended the premiere at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre.
A massive crowd gathered inside and outside the theatre to catch a glimpse of the star. However, chaos ensued, leading to a stampede that tragically claimed the life of Revathi, a resident of Dilsukhnagar, who was at the event with her husband and two children. Her son, Sri Tej, suffered severe injuries and was placed on a ventilator.December 5, 2024: In the aftermath of the stampede, police registered cases against the management of Sandhya Theatre and Allu Arjun under Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) (punishment for causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The incident sparked public outrage, with many questioning the lack of crowd control measures.
December 6, 2024: Allu Arjun released a three-minute video expressing his deep regret over the tragedy. Offering condolences to Revathi’s family, he announced a donation of Rs 25 lakh and pledged to cover the medical expenses of her son. Despite his statement, criticism of the event’s mismanagement continued to mount.
December 9, 2024: Hyderabad police arrested three individuals linked to the incident: theatre owner Sandeep, senior manager Nagaraju, and manager Vijay Chandra. Police officials cited the theatre’s failure to provide proper guidance and information to attendees as a major contributing factor to the stampede.
December 12, 2024: Allu Arjun’s legal team approached the Telangana High Court to quash the FIR against him, asserting that he was not directly responsible for the incident and reiterating his commitment to supporting the affected family.
December 13, 2024: Police officials arrived at Allu Arjun’s residence in Jubilee Hills to take him in for questioning. The actor’s arrest drew media attention as he wore a customised Pushpa 2 hoodie featuring the phrase “Flower nahin, fire hain” before being escorted to the police station. Public prosecutor arguments emphasized that Arjun’s arrival at the theatre caused the chaos. The Telangana High Court later granted him interim bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000, but he was remanded to judicial custody. That night, Arjun spent time in Chanchalguda prison, reportedly sleeping on the floor.
December 14, 2024: After being released from prison early in the morning, Allu Arjun met with his legal team and family members to plan the next steps. His uncles, Chiranjeevi and Naga Babu, as well as other Tollywood stars, rallied around him in solidarity. Public sentiment remained divided, with some supporting Arjun and others holding him partially accountable.
December 18, 2024: Allu Arjun’s father, Allu Aravind, visited the hospital where Sri Tej was undergoing treatment. Speaking to the media, he assured that the family and government would provide all necessary support for the child’s recovery.
December 19, 2024: Director Sukumar, along with his wife, visited Sri Tej at the hospital and donated Rs 5 lakh to the grieving family. The gesture drew attention to the collective efforts within the industry to support the victims.
December 21, 2024: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy made controversial remarks about the incident during a public event, alleging that Allu Arjun continued to greet fans and hold a roadshow even after being informed about the stampede. This statement intensified public debates, with contrasting narratives about the actor’s actions.
December 22, 2024: Hyderabad police released CCTV footage from Sandhya Theatre that allegedly showed Allu Arjun’s reluctance to leave the venue despite being informed about the tragedy. Protesters vandalized Arjun’s house, burning his effigy and demanding Rs 1 crore as compensation for Revathi’s family. Police detained several individuals involved in the attack. The actor held a press conference, calling the allegations against him baseless and stating he was being subjected to character assassination.
December 23, 2024: Security at Allu Arjun’s residence was tightened as tensions escalated. His children were moved to a safe location. One of the individuals involved in the vandalism was identified as an aide of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, further politicizing the issue.
December 24, 2024: Allu Arjun appeared at the Chikkadpally police station for further questioning. As he faces allegations and public backlash, the actor’s legal team continues to fight for his exoneration. The tragic incident has cast a shadow over the record-breaking success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, with many questioning the responsibilities of celebrities during high-profile public events.
ETimes exclusive insights: According to our exclusive sources, the police asked, “Were you aware of the theatre situation?” and further probed, “Do you have a copy of the permission?”. In addition to this, our sources also reveal that investigators plan to recreate the crime scene at Sandhya Theatre to verify key details, including crowd control measures and the sequence of events on the tragic night.