Allu Arjun addresses Sandhya Theatre stampede case via press conference, says, 'feeling extremely humiliated by the character assassination'

Allu Arjun in Pushpa 2

Telugu superstar Allu Arjun addressed allegations one more time as he is held responsible for the stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the premiere of his latest movie, Pushpa 2: The Rule, earlier this month.

Speaking out on Saturday, he dismissed the claims as baseless and expressed dismay over the "misinformation" being spread. Arjun stated that he is being unfairly targeted and subjected to "character assassination." He emphasized the need for accurate reporting and called for greater responsibility in addressing such incidents without jumping to conclusions.

The Pushpa star began by apologizing for his delayed response, explaining that he needed time to "center himself" before addressing the issue.

He described the stampede at Sandhya Theatre as an "unfortunate accident with no one to blame" and extended heartfelt condolences to the families affected. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, he expressed deep sorrow over the tragic turn of events and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of his fans during future events.

Allu Arjun said, "I am getting hourly updates about how the kid is doing. He is progressing. The only good thing is that the boy is getting better." He continued, "My whole attempt is to produce the audience good entertainment and want people to leave with a smile"

Arjun went on to say, "I am not here to blame anybody, or any political party. The main reason for the press meet is that there is a lot of miscommunication, misinformation and wrong allegations. I am feeling extremely humilated by the character assassination. I have been here for 20 years and I have earned this respect and credibility. It has been sabotaged in one day."

"I have put three years of my life into this film and went to see it. And that is my biggest education. It is my learning curve. This is how I learn. It is very important for me to watch my own films in the theatre so that I can learn for my upcoming films. I have seen 7 of my films there. It was no roadshow or procession, but just the public outside the theatre. I waved my hands because it is a show of respect. It is known that once the fans get a glimpse of you, they cool off and start dispersing. They did clear the way and the car moved in, and I went into the theatre." Allu explained.

This incident appears to be linked to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's assembly address earlier today, where he alleged that actor Allu Arjun attended the screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule despite the police having reportedly denied permission for the event saying, "Before entering the theatre and while exiting, the actor stood through the sunroof of his car and waved to the crowds, leading to thousands of fans jostling to get a glimpse of him."

To this Allu Arjun said, "I was informed that it was overcrowded and asked to leave. I did so immediately. No officials told me or came to me and told me anything. It was only in the morning that I got the information that the lady died, and it was unfortunate."

He went on to say, "I only had the best intentions. I left my two kids behind, who are of the same age as the child who was injured. I could not visit the injured child because a case was already filed against me. I wanted to do it. That's why I left a video message. I asked my father, producers and my director Sukumar to go check."

"This is the time that I should be celebrating, be happy. But for these 15 days, I haven't been able to go anywhere. Legally, I am tied, and I can't go," the actor shared.

Allu Arjun firmly denied the misinformation suggesting he had made aggressive remarks about "breaking bones." He vehemently refuted these claims, clarifying that while he might have a jovial personality, he would never resort to using such "inhumane language."

The actor chose not to take any questions from reporters, explaining that his decision was due to legal constraints currently binding him. He emphasized that this was not an attempt to evade accountability but a necessity to comply with ongoing legal proceedings.

At the Telangana Assembly earlier today, AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi delivered a scathing critique of Allu Arjun, accusing him of displaying "insensitive behavior" and a "lack of responsibility" in the aftermath of the stampede at the Hyderabad premiere of his film. Owaisi said, "As per my information, when he was informed about the stampede and the death of a person, he said, 'now the movie will be a hit'."

He went on to say "Even after the stampede incident, he (Allu Arjun) watched the film and waved to the crowd from his car while going back. He does not even bother to check on them and the family. I also go to public meetings where thousands come, but I make sure no stampede-like incidents happen."

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy have also taken a subtle dig at Allu Arjun during his session at the Agenda Aaj Tak 2024 today, 21st December. While addressing the controversy, Reddy hinted at the need for celebrities to act responsibly, particularly during large-scale public events, further fueling the ongoing debate about accountability in the wake of the tragic stampede.

The stampede occurred on December 4 outside Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule. Massive crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun, who attended the event alongside his co-star Rashmika Mandanna and wife Sneha Reddy. Tragically, a 39-year-old woman named Revathi lost her life in the chaos, while her son sustained serious injuries. Authorities stated that the theatre management had made no arrangements to manage the overwhelming crowd, raising questions about the lack of proper safety measures.

On December 13, Allu Arjun was arrested from his residence in connection with the stampede incident. A lower court initially sent him to 14 days of judicial custody. However, the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail on the same day. Despite securing bail, procedural delays in uploading the bail order forced the actor to spend a night in jail, adding another layer of controversy to the unfolding case.