Following the tragic stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the Pushpa 2 premiere on December 4, which claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman and injured her eight-year-old son, film producer Allu Aravind announced ₹2 crore in financial aid to support the affected family.
Accompanied by Telangana Film Development Corporation (FDC) chairman Dil Raju, Aravind visited the private hospital where the boy, Sri Teja, is undergoing treatment. Relieved to learn that Sri Teja is off ventilator support and showing signs of recovery, Aravind revealed the financial aid plan.
Financial Support for the Family
Aravind explained that the financial assistance would be distributed as follows:
- ₹1 crore from Pushpa 2 star Allu Arjun
- ₹50 lakh from Mythri Movie Makers
- ₹50 lakh from the film’s director Sukumar
“This aid will be provided through Telangana FDC chairman Dil Raju to support the boy and his family during this difficult time,” said Aravind, adding that he had previously visited the boy with police permission to check on his condition.
Boy’s Health Improves
Sri Teja’s father, Bhaskar, provided a positive update on his son’s health, stating that the boy is no longer on oxygen or ventilator support. While his condition is stable, doctors have indicated that full recovery will take time.
The hospital released a statement confirming that Sri Teja is maintaining stable vital parameters and responding to verbal stimuli. However, he has not yet achieved meaningful eye contact or recognition of family members.
Legal and Community Response
The incident has sparked legal scrutiny, with Allu Arjun being questioned by police regarding his involvement. Despite ongoing legal proceedings, Bhaskar emphasized that he received immediate support from the actor and his team, including a ₹10 lakh cheque, additional assistance from the production team, and Telangana Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy.
Bhaskar clarified there was no pressure to withdraw the complaint and expressed gratitude for the timely aid.
Industry Steps Up
Dil Raju announced plans to meet with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to discuss further steps. “We have invited key members of the film industry for a meeting to address the issue and ensure such incidents do not recur,” he said.
The tragic incident has highlighted the need for better crowd management and safety measures during high-profile events, with the industry pledging its support to the affected family while taking steps to improve event protocols.
Sources By Agencies
