Pawan Kalyan breaks silence on Sandhya Theatre stampede, comments on Allu Arjun’s involvement
Hyderabad: Actor and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan responded after several days regarding the recent stampede at Sandhya Theatre and the controversy surrounding actor Allu Arjun’s involvement during a press interaction in Mangalagiri today, December 30, 2024.
Speaking at the press interaction, Pawan Kalyan avoided criticizing the police but highlighted the need to prioritize public safety during such events. He stated, “The law is equal for all. The police should act with security in mind. However, the theatre staff should have informed Allu Arjun about the situation earlier. Once he took his seat, it became more challenging to manage the chaos.”
AP Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also discussed Allu Arjun’s role in the incident, suggesting the actor could have done more to address the tragedy. “It would have been better if someone from his team had visited the victim’s family sooner. This could have helped ease tensions,” he said. He compared the incident to past instances when stars like Chiranjeevi attended screenings with fans while taking precautions, such as wearing a mask, to avoid creating a disturbance.
Commenting on the stampede, Pawan Kalyan expressed deep concern over the death of Revathi, the victim in the incident. “The incident is tragic, and what made it worse was the lack of any immediate gesture of support,” he noted. “There should have been a sense of regret for the incident, even if it was unintentional.”
- Pawan Kalyan said that while Allu Arjun could have shown more empathy, the entire film industry is responsible for such incidents. “Cinema is a collaborative effort, and it’s not fair to place all the blame on Allu Arjun. Everyone in the industry shares responsibility,” he remarked.
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also praised Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s leadership. “Revanth Reddy is a great leader. He regulated ticket prices and allowed benefit shows, which contrasts with the approach of the YSRC,” Pawan Kalyan said, though he clarified that he was not fully aware of the specifics of the incident involving Allu Arjun.
On a broader note, Kalyan called for reforms in the film industry, urging the sector to come together and discuss necessary improvements. He pointed out the untapped potential of scenic locations in Andhra Pradesh, such as Papikondalu and the Vizianagaram forest area, which lack proper infrastructure. He also stressed the need for storytelling schools to nurture talent and enhance the quality of filmmaking.
The tragic stampede occurred on December 4, 2024, during the Pushpa 2 premiere at Sandhya Theatre. A large crowd gathered to see Allu Arjun, leading to overcrowding in the lower balcony of the theatre. This resulted in the suffocation of a woman, Revathi, who died, while her son, Sai Tej, was hospitalized.
Later, Revathi’s husband, Magudampalli Bhaskar, filed a complaint claiming that Allu Arjun’s arrival and the lack of proper crowd control at the venue led to the stampede.
𝐏𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐲𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝𝐲, 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐮 𝐀𝐫𝐣𝐮𝐧’𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan commented on the recent stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre during the ‘Pushpa 2’… pic.twitter.com/p5vgcvx9wT
— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) December 30, 2024
