Pushpa 2 frenzy refuses to die, even as Allu Arjun is booked for theater stampede that killed one and left a child critically injured.

News Mania Desk / Piyal Chatterjee / 6th December 2024

It would seem obvious to state that the legacy of Pushpa 2: The Rule, which is currently being scripted as fans flock to theaters not only in India but around the world, is marred by an extremely unfortunate, horrifying incident that occurred during the film’s premiere show in Hyderabad, just a few hours before the film’s official theatrical run began. But we won’t say that since it’s not the case.

Around 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, Allu Arjun paid a’surprise’ visit to Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre, accompanied by music director Devi Sri Prasad, to capture the initial rush of audience reactions to their massive undertaking. While the theatre was informed of his coming, neither the actor’s crew nor the establishment’s administration extended this courtesy to the police. What followed was complete mayhem, and for obvious reasons. The theatre rapidly turned into a stampede-like scene as fans rushed to catch a sight of their Icon Star.

Things were made worse by the fact that the theatre management, although being aware of Allu Arjun’s presence and having a clear grasp of the impact on the audience, did not plan for a separate departure for the actor and his entourage. This was a calamity waiting to occur.

B Raju Naik, the SHO of Chikkadpally police station, said that Revathi and her son Sreethej felt smothered due to the big crowd influx. The police officers on duty immediately grabbed them off the lower balcony and removed them from public view. They did CPR on her son and immediately transported him to the adjacent Durgabai Deshmukh hospital. The physicians informed her that she had died, and her kid was urged to be transferred to another hospital for better care.”

DCP of Central Zone, Hyderabad Police, Akshansh Yadav, further explained, “A case has been filed under BNS section 105 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) r/w 3(5) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt) at Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint of the family members of the deceased person. It is being investigated. Stringent action as per law will be taken against all the persons responsible for the chaotic situation inside the theatre leading to the death of a person and injury to others”.

One can imagine how, if something like this had happened during a showing of a lesser mortal star’s picture, the audience reaction would have had a devastating impact on the project’s success. Pushpa 2, predictably, is an exception to the rule. Though news of the stampede and its impact spread quickly, it’s clear to understand how it had no impact on the film’s day one performance.

One can imagine how, if something like this had happened during a showing of a lesser mortal star’s picture, the audience reaction would have had a devastating impact on the project’s success. Pushpa 2, predictably, is an exception to the rule. Though news of the stampede and its impact spread quickly, it’s clear to understand how it had no impact on the film’s day one performance.

According to Sacnilk, the film earned ₹175 crores on its first day at the domestic box office. Pushpa 2’s Hindi version outperformed Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan (2023), earning ₹64 crores yesterday, which is ₹3 crores more than SRK’s successful two-part screen homecoming from last year.