Allu Arjun Breaks Silence After Jail Release; Calls Fan’s Death ‘Unfortunate’
Actor Allu Arjun issued his first statement following his release from prison after being arrested in connection with the death of a fan during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule. Speaking to reporters outside the jail, Arjun said, “I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate. I would like to once again express my condolences to the family. It was an unfortunate incident.”
The actor was taken into custody on Friday from his Banjara Hills residence after a tragic stampede-like situation at a screening of his latest film in Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre on December 4. The chaos erupted when Arjun and his co-star Rashmika Mandanna made a surprise appearance at the venue, drawing an overwhelming crowd. Amid the mayhem, 35-year-old Revathi lost her life, and her son sustained critical injuries. The deceased’s husband subsequently named Arjun as an accused in the FIR.
A local court initially remanded the actor to 14 days of judicial custody. However, the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail for four weeks just hours later. Despite the order, Arjun spent the night in prison due to delays in processing his release. Jail authorities cited the late receipt of the bail order as the reason, a claim refuted by Arjun’s legal team, which called it an instance of “illegal detention” and vowed to pursue legal recourse.
Political Controversy Erupts
The arrest sparked a political uproar, with the BJP and BRS accusing the ruling Congress government in Telangana of unfairly targeting the popular star. BJP leaders questioned the actor’s treatment, alleging political motives behind the action. BRS also criticised the state administration, claiming it failed to manage the crowd during the film’s screening.
Meanwhile, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Mahesh Kumar Goud defended the arrest, stating, “The law is equal for everyone, regardless of their status, and it will take its due course.”
The tragic death has overshadowed the release of Pushpa 2: The Rule, one of the most anticipated films of the year. While Arjun’s legal troubles continue, fans of the actor remain divided over his role in the incident. Authorities have assured a thorough investigation to determine accountability in the tragedy.
