The Rule, has publicly apologised to the family of a fan who tragically lost their life during a stampede at the film’s Hyderabad premiere. The incident occurred on December 4, when Arjun attended the screening at Sandhya Theatre, leading to a chaotic scene as excited fans surged forward. In the aftermath, a woman lost her life, and her young son was critically injured.
In a press conference on Saturday evening to celebrate the success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, Allu Arjun, along with director Sukumar, expressed their deep sorrow over the tragedy.
Sukumar and Arjun Express Sorrow
Director Sukumar, who has worked on the film for over six years, opened up about his heartbreak. “I have worked for over 6 years on this film, but I’ve not been happy for 3 days now because a director is always sensitive. Irrespective of me working for 3 years or 6 years, I cannot create a life. My heart is broken due to what happened. I am very sorry for that…I apologise to the family and assure you, we will always support you,” he said, visibly emotional.
Allu Arjun, addressing the media, thanked fans worldwide for the film’s success and expressed his regret over the tragic event. “We are extremely sorry. We genuinely didn’t know what happened. I’ve been doing this for 20 years (going to theatres on opening day); it’s very unfortunate that this happened,” he said. Arjun further clarified that he left the theatre midway not after learning of the fan’s death, but because the management informed him that his presence was causing disruptions.
“We only found out the next day that Revathi had died; I was shocked,” Arjun added, referring to the deceased fan. He also explained that it took him 48 hours to respond publicly to the incident, as he needed time to process the news. “It took me time to respond psychologically…I want to stabilise and come back to the table; it takes me time to process. When we heard what happened, we all blanked out,” Arjun said.
A Gesture of Support
The actor made a ₹25 lakh donation to the family, describing it as a gesture of support. “The money I’ve given is only a gesture to show we’re there for them. I don’t want to disturb them; I’m giving them their space. I will never be able to help with their loss, but I will meet them once they recover. I’ll help them in whatever way I can,” he stated.
Backlash and Criticism
Initially, Arjun faced criticism for not offering an immediate public apology when the news broke. Fans and the public were upset over his silence on social media, especially after a video showed him leaving the theatre abruptly. Some speculated that Arjun had left to avoid addressing the fan’s death. However, Arjun’s team had reportedly reached out to the family to offer financial help.
The police have initiated a case against Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management following a complaint filed by the victim’s family. Despite the criticism, Arjun has reiterated his deep remorse and commitment to supporting the grieving family during this difficult time.
The tragic incident has overshadowed the success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, but Arjun’s efforts to make amends and offer condolences have been acknowledged by many.
Sources By Agencies
