NEW DELHI: AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi, without naming the actor involved but purportedly referring to Allu Arjun, alleged that that Telugu film star responded to the news of the stampede and death by saying, “The film is going to be a hit now,” and continued watching the film ‘Pushpa 2‘.
Owaisi was speaking about the incident at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, where a stampede occurred during the screening of ‘Pushpa 2’ on December 4, leading to the death of a woman and injuries to several others.
“I do not want to name that famous film star, but as per my knowledge, when he was informed about the stampede outside the theatre, about two children who had fallen and a woman who had died, he smiled and said that ‘the film is going to be a hit now,” Owaisi said.
“He then watched the entire film and waved his hand towards the crowd while leaving. This sends the message that the government is doing injustice. He did not even bother to inquire about the condition of the injured,” he added.

Owaisi further criticised the actor for failing to take responsibility in a situation that endangered the public, saying, “Where is humanity? I also attend public meetings with thousands of people, and I ensure there is no stampede. I make sure that security around me doesn’t push people so that nobody is harmed.”
Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy responded to Owaisi’s remarks, condemning Allu Arjun for continuing his roadshow and waving at the crowds despite the tragic stampede.
“Despite police permission being denied, the actor attended the theatre where Pushpa 2 was screened on December 4. After the death of a woman in the stampede, the actor did not leave the cinema hall, prompting the police to force him out,” Reddy said.
The CM revealed that the theatre management had sought security from the police on December 2, ahead of the actor’s visit on December 4, but the application was denied due to concerns over crowd management. The situation escalated when Allu Arjun, before and after the screening, stood through the sunroof of his car to wave at the throngs of fans, sparking chaos as thousands jostled for a glimpse of the actor.
Reddy further criticised film personalities who rallied around Allu Arjun after the incident, pointing out their lack of concern for the victims. “Film personalities who rushed to meet him after his arrest should have shown empathy by visiting the boy who is undergoing treatment in the hospital after suffering injuries in the incident,” he said.
Following the stampede, police filed charges against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management at the Chikkadpally police station, based on a complaint from the deceased woman’s family.
A 35-year-old woman lost her life in the stampede, and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised with injuries.