Revanth Slams Allu Arjun, Tollywood Over Stampede

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy lambasted actor Allu Arjun and the Tollywood fraternity for their “inhumane behaviour” as regards the stampede at Sandhya theatre where a Pushpa-2 benefit show was screened.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Saturday, Revanth Reddy blamed the actor for the tragedy that claimed the life of a housewife and whose son’s condition remains critical in a hospital. He criticised the lack of empathy from Tollywood celebrities.

The Chief Minister detailed how the stampede unfolded, accusing Arjun of disregarding police directives. He said that the actor, despite being denied permission, visited the theatre for a film promotional event (benefit show) and conducted what appeared to be a roadshow by greeting fans from the rooftop of his car.

The spectacle, he said, attracted a massive crowd, leading to the stampede.

Reddy criticised Tollywood personalities for rallying behind Arjun after his brief detention rather than extending support to the grieving family.

“When a mother dies and a child is hospitalised, no one from the industry thought of visiting them. Instead, they flocked to console the actor, who spent a single night in jail,” he remarked.

“Did Arjun lose any organ like kidney, leg or an eye? What was the need for the celebrities to rush to his residence to express solidarity? Did anyone care about the injured boy? Did any celebrity go to the hospital to check on the boy's condition?” he fumed.

He urged film personalities not to be so inhuman.

AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi raised the issue in the house and slammed Arjun for his “insensitive" behaviour following the stampede. He claimed that Arjun had said that the movie would be “a hit” after the stampede and the woman’s death.

Owaisi lamented that despite the stampede Arjun had watched the movie and waved to the crowd from his vehicle on the way back.

“He does not even bother to check on them and the family. I also go for public meetings where thousands come, but I make sure that no stampede-like incidents happen," he said.

“As per my information, when Arjun was informed about the stampede and the death of a person, his reaction was ‘now the movie will be hit," Owaisi alleged. However, he did not elaborate on how he got the information.

Recounting the incident, Reddy narrated the heart-wrenching story of Revathi, who lost her life while shielding her son in the chaos.

“The boy, a fan of Arjun, is in a critical condition. The family reportedly paid an exorbitant ₹12,000 for four tickets. The child’s father gets a monthly salary of a mere ₹30,000. Yet, because his son is a fan of Arjun and wanted to watch the film in a benefit show before its official release, he went to great lengths to fulfill his child’s wish,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister further alleged that Arjun had ignored warnings from senior police officials, about the risk of a law and order problem. Even after the police intervention, Reddy said, the actor continued his rooftop roadshow while leaving the venue.

“The police performed their duty diligently, but the actor’s irresponsible behaviour cost a life," he stated, wondering if the film industry believes it is above the law of the land.

The Chief Minister also took aim at opposition parties, accusing them of exploiting the tragedy for political gains and using “filthy language” to criticise the state government’s actions. He reaffirmed “There will be no special laws for film personalities or political leaders. The government operates as per the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.”

While the state government has supported the film industry through special show permissions, the Chief Minister drew a line, stating that such privileges cannot come at the cost of public safety.

“Film business is not wrong, but playing with people’s lives is unacceptable. Such actions will not be tolerated by our administration,” he declared.