Actor Arjun Arrested in Connection with Death at Hyderabad Theatre Premiere
In a shocking turn of events, the Hyderabad Police have filed a case against actor Arjun, the Sandhya Theatre management, and his security team following a tragic incident at a film premiere. The incident occurred when the actor and his team attended the premiere, leading to chaos inside the theatre and resulting in one death and multiple injuries.
According to the police, there was no prior intimation that the actor and his team would be attending the event, causing an unanticipated surge in crowd activity. The absence of proper crowd management led to a stampede-like situation, with people scrambling to get a glimpse of the star. Tragically, during the chaos, a person lost their life, and several others were injured.
On Friday, actor Arjun was taken into custody by a team from the Chikkadpally Police Station, where the case was registered. The police have filed an FIR under sections 105 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) r/w 3(5) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt), based on a complaint filed by the family of the deceased person. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Zone, Akshansh Yadav, confirmed to The Indian Express that the investigation was underway.
“The case is being thoroughly investigated, and stringent action will be taken as per the law against all those responsible for the chaotic situation inside the theatre that led to the unfortunate death of a person and injuries to others,” stated Yadav.
The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols at film events and the responsibility of film teams and venue management in ensuring public safety. The authorities are determined to hold those accountable for the mishandling of the event that led to such a tragic outcome.
Second Fan Found Dead in Andhra Pradesh
The incident took place during the matinee show of Pushpa 2: The Rule in Rayadurgam, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday. Harijana Madhannappa, a 35-year-old man and father of four, was found dead by theatre cleaning staff around 6 PM. According to Kalyandurgam Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ravi Babu, Madhannappa had attended the film’s 2:30 PM screening in an intoxicated state and continued consuming alcohol inside the theatre.
“It is not clear when he died, but the cleaning staff found him dead at around 6 PM after the matinee show,” DSP Ravi Babu told PTI. The police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and are currently investigating the exact cause of death.
Premiere Screening in Hyderabad Turns Deadly
Just days earlier, on December 4, another tragic incident occurred during the premiere screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. The event, attended by Allu Arjun, co-star Rashmika Mandanna, and Arjun’s wife Allu Sneha Reddy, turned chaotic, leading to a stampede that claimed the life of a female fan. Her son was critically injured and remains hospitalised.
Following the incident, police arrested three individuals connected to the Sandhya Theatre: M Sandeep (one of the theatre’s owners), senior manager M Nagaraju, and lower balcony in-charge Gandhakam Vijay Chander. Cases have also been registered against Allu Arjun and his security team under sections 105 and 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Apologies and Promises from Allu Arjun
In response to the tragedy, Allu Arjun and director Sukumar addressed the press to express their condolences. They apologized to the victim’s family and assured them of full support, including covering medical expenses and any additional needs.
A Film Marred by Misfortune
While Pushpa 2: The Rule has generated immense excitement among fans, these incidents have cast a shadow over its release. The untimely deaths and the chaos at screenings have raised concerns about crowd management and safety measures at large events.
The police continue to investigate both incidents, aiming to uncover the reasons behind the deaths and prevent further tragedies in the future.