Stampede Incident at Pushpa 2 Screening:
- Date of Incident: The stampede occurred on December 4, 2024, during the premiere of "Pushpa 2: The Rule" at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad.
- Outcome: A 35-year-old woman, Revathi, died, and her 8-year-old son was critically injured in the chaos.
- Legal Actions:
- Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13, 2024, in connection with the stampede, charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence.
- He was granted a four-week interim bail by the Telangana High Court on the same day and was released from Chanchalguda prison on December 14, 2024.
- A case was also filed against the theatre management for the incident.
Vandalism at Allu Arjun's Residence:
- Date: December 22, 2024.
- Event: Members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU JAC) vandalized Allu Arjun's home in Hyderabad, demanding justice for Revathi's family. They threw tomatoes and caused property damage.
- Response:
- Six individuals were arrested following the vandalism.
- Allu Arjun's father, Allu Aravind, addressed the media, stating that the law would take its course and that they would not react to the provocation at that moment.
Political and Public Backlash:
- Accusations: There have been political accusations, with some posts on X suggesting that the Congress party might have orchestrated the attack on Allu Arjun's residence as retaliation for not supporting their campaign.
- CM's Statements: Telangana's Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, criticized Allu Arjun for attending the screening despite police denying permission and for not leaving the theatre even after being informed of the woman's death.
- Allu Arjun's Response:
- He held a press conference to defend himself against what he described as "character assassination", clarifying that he did not defy police instructions and was escorted out by the police.
- Allu Arjun also expressed condolences for the victim, stating his commitment to support the affected child and refuting claims of insensitivity.
Film and Public Image:
- "Pushpa 2" Box Office: Despite the controversy, "Pushpa 2" has been performing well at the box office, with reports indicating it crossed ₹1450 crore globally by December 22, 2024.
- Public Perception: There's been a mix of support for Allu Arjun, with fans defending him, while others are critical, especially concerning the stampede and the subsequent handling of the situation.
Legal and Political Developments:
- CCTV Evidence: Hyderabad Police released CCTV footage showing Allu Arjun and his team leaving under police protection, countering his earlier claims about not being informed of the stampede.
- Allegations of Misinformation: Allu Arjun has claimed that there's misinformation around the incident, which is being used to malign his character.
Allu Arjun remains a focal point of news due to the tragic stampede at his film’s premiere, his arrest and subsequent bail, and the vandalism at his residence. The events have sparked debates on responsibility, crowd management, and the influence of celebrities in public spaces, along with political finger-pointing.