Drama over the Sandhya stampede case

Social media went viral with images of the actor, clad in a hoodie featuring the iconic “flower nahin, fire hai” dialogue from his Pushpa movie, being escorted by police. In another video, he was seen entering the elevator wearing a green T-shirt and shorts, accompanied by police personnel. Later, he changed into his Pushpa merchandise before stepping out of his residence. The clip also featured the actor enjoying coffee with his father, Allu Aravind, and brother, Allu Sirish, while sharing affectionate moments with his wife, Allu Sneha Reddy, by planting kisses on her cheek.

The police have filed charges against the actor, his security team, and the Sandhya Theatre management. The authorities noted that they had not received any prior information about the actor’s presence at the event, contributing to the lack of adequate security arrangements.

They have been booked under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) (punishment for causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The arrest relates to the December 4 incident during the screening of Pushpa at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. Large crowds had gathered to catch a glimpse of the star, Allu Arjun, who was present at the event. The theatre’s main gate collapsed in the ensuing turmoil, triggering a stampede. A 35-year-old woman lost her life, while her 9-year-old son suffered severe injuries.

HIGHLIGHT

* Producer Dil Raju arrived at the Chikkadpally police station to support the actor.

* Megastar Chiranjeevi, actor and Allu Arjun’s uncle, halted his shoot midway and arrived at the actor’s house in Hyderabad.

* Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit defended Allu Arjun regarding the arrest. "Can't blame him for promoting the film," Pandit said.

* BRS leader KT Rama Rao reacted to Allu Arjun’s arrest. He wrote on X, “Treating @alluarjun Garu as a common criminal is uncalled for especially for something he isn’t directly responsible (sic).”