A tragic stampede during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on Wednesday evening claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman and left her nine-year-old son seriously injured. The incident occurred as massive crowds gathered to see the film’s lead actor, Allu Arjun, who attended the event with music director Devi Sri Prasad.
According to police, chaos erupted when fans surged towards the venue to catch a glimpse of the actor. The theatre’s main gate collapsed under the crowd’s pressure, triggering a stampede. Despite police efforts, including a lathi charge, the situation spiraled out of control, leading to the fatal incident.
The injured boy was immediately rushed to a private hospital, where he remains under treatment. Additional police reinforcements were deployed to manage the situation and prevent further escalation.
Thousands of fans had gathered not just to watch the movie but also to see members of the film’s production team. The event highlighted the immense anticipation for Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar, a sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise.
High Anticipation and Controversy
Pushpa 2: The Rule is set to release across 10,000 screens in multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Although plans for a 3D version were shelved due to delays in post-production, the film will be showcased in 2D and 4DX formats.
Starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, the film has generated significant buzz. However, the lead-up to its release has not been without controversy. Ticket prices were increased in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, sparking legal challenges. Despite petitions, the Telangana High Court cleared the film’s release.
Authorities Call for Better Crowd Control
The tragedy at Sandhya Theatre has raised questions about crowd management at high-profile events. Officials have urged theatres and organizers to implement stricter safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
As Pushpa 2 continues its rollout, the tragic stampede serves as a sobering reminder of the need for caution amid the frenzy of fanfare.