A stampede outside Sandhya Theatre during the much-anticipated premiere of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4 turned tragic, claiming the life of a woman, Revathi, and injuring her son, Sritej. Fans thronged the venue in overwhelming numbers, prompting police to resort to a lathi charge to control the crowd.

Revathi, her husband Bhaskar, and their two children, Sritej and Sanvi, were among the attendees. Bhaskar, in an interview with The Times of India, spoke about his late wife, recalling her selflessness. In 2023, Revathi had donated a part of her liver to save Bhaskar’s life. “She gave me life, and now she’s gone,” he said, breaking down.

Bhaskar believes Revathi succumbed to injuries while shielding their son in the chaotic crowd. Sritej is currently hospitalized with severe hypoxia and a potential lung injury.

The Day of the Incident

Recalling the harrowing sequence of events, Bhaskar said, “I decided to drop Sanvi at my in-laws’ home near the theatre. By the time I returned, my wife and son were not where I had left them. When I called, Revathi told me they were inside the theatre… That was the last time I heard her voice.”

He recounted seeing a video of Sritej being carried by a stranger into a patrol car that eventually took him to KIMS Hospital. Hours later, around 2:30 am on December 5, the police informed Bhaskar of Revathi’s death. “My world crashed,” he said.

Allu Arjun’s Response

Actor Allu Arjun expressed grief over the tragedy, posting a condolence message on X (formerly Twitter). In a video statement, he assured the bereaved family of his and the film team’s support, announcing ₹25 lakh in assistance.

Investigation Underway

Central Zone DCP Akshansh Yadav revealed that a case has been registered against Allu Arjun and his security team. “We are investigating the incident to identify those responsible for the stampede,” he said.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over the film’s release, sparking debates about crowd management and safety measures at public events. Meanwhile, Bhaskar and his family continue to grapple with an irreparable loss.