A night of celebration turned tragic during the highly anticipated Pushpa 2: The Rule premiere at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. A stampede-like situation late Wednesday night left one woman dead and her son critically injured. Actor Allu Arjun’s appearance to greet fans at the event contributed to the chaos. Following the incident, a case of negligence has been filed against the theatre management.
A Fatal Turn of Events
The tragic incident unfolded at Sandhya Theatre, where actor Allu Arjun arrived to meet his fans. Reports indicate that the crowd’s excitement spiraled out of control, leading to a stampede-like situation. Revathi, the victim, attended the screening with her husband and two children.
An official told that the woman and her family “might have got trapped during the chaos that led to the stampede at RTC X Roads.” According to a preliminary investigation by the police, Revathi and her young son were trying to enter the theatre when the overwhelming crowd surged forward. “Suffocated and pushed by the crowd, they fell unconscious,” a PTI report stated.
Adding to the chaos, there were “no arrangements by the theatre management or prior information about the arrival of the actor and other members of the film,” the police disclosed.
Life-Saving Attempts
Police personnel on the scene attempted to save the victims by administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to Revathi and her son. They were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Revathi was pronounced dead. Her son remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment, according to senior police officials.
Pushpa 2: A Highly Anticipated Sequel
Directed by Sukumar, Pushpa 2: The Rule is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Muttamsetty Media. The film stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil in their iconic roles as Pushpa Raj, Srivalli, and Bhanwar Singh Shekawat. Allu Arjun received a National Film Award for his performance in the first installment, Pushpa: The Rise, which depicted the intense power struggle amid red sandalwood smuggling operations.
A Call for Accountability
The incident raises concerns about event safety and crowd management, especially during high-profile film premieres. Fans have called for stricter safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The negligence case against Sandhya Theatre will likely probe the lack of adequate arrangements for managing the large crowd.
Conclusion
The Pushpa 2: The Rule premiere will forever be marred by this unfortunate tragedy. As investigations unfold, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of safety protocols during large public gatherings.
What steps can event organizers take to ensure such tragedies don’t recur? Let us know your thoughts.
