A month after the tragic stampede during the screening of Pushpa 2, theatres in Telangana have begun taking serious steps to ensure the safety of moviegoers. The tragedy, which occurred on December 4, claimed the life of 35-year-old Revathi and critically injured her nine-year-old son, Sri Tej. This heartbreaking incident has led to a major shift in how theatres manage crowds during film releases.
In response to the incident, a local theatre in Telangana put up banners announcing new rules to prevent such accidents in the future. These measures include regularising the entry of fans, ensuring they line up in an orderly manner to avoid stampede-like situations. The theatre also banned the use of crackers and large posterboards inside the premises, as these could cause chaos or harm. These changes are part of a broader effort to provide a safer environment for fans while watching early morning shows, which are becoming more popular with the release of big films.
The incident at Pushpa 2 was a wake-up call for both theatre owners and the Telugu film industry. It led to the arrest of the owners of Sandhya Theatre, where the stampede occurred, as well as actor Allu Arjun, who was involved in promoting the movie. However, Allu Arjun was granted bail. The tragedy sparked widespread outrage over the safety measures in theatres and the potential dangers that fans face when attending movie screenings.
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In addition to these new rules, the Telangana government has also made changes to the timing of film shows. Although early morning shows are allowed, the state government has prohibited screenings starting at 1 am. Instead, shows can begin from 4 am. This change aims to regulate the rush of people and prevent overcrowding during such early screenings, which have become common for major film releases.
Recently, actor Allu Arjun visited Sri Tej in a private hospital in Hyderabad and offered his support to the young boy and his family. This gesture was an effort to show empathy and care for those affected by the tragedy. As theatres in Telangana continue to regularise entry and restrict unsafe practices like cracker bursting, the hope is that such incidents will not happen again, and fans can watch films in a safer environment.
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