The pre-release event for Thandel, the much-anticipated film starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, is set to take place in Hyderabad today. However, unlike most pre-release events, this one will not be open to the public. The event, which was initially scheduled for Saturday, had to be postponed to Sunday due to the availability of Allu Arjun, who will be the chief guest at the event.
In a recent announcement on X (formerly Twitter), the film’s team shared that the pre-release event would be a closed-door affair. They wrote, “PLEASE NOTE: No public entry for today’s #ThandelJaathara. Enjoy the ICONIC EVENT from the comfort of your homes.” The statement also added, “Pushpa Raj x Thandel Raju. Unfortunately, owing to certain reasons, Iconic Thandel Jaathara is a closed-door event. There is no permission for public entry to the event. Watch the event live on your screens and enjoy the event to the fullest.”
While the producers did not provide additional details regarding the decision, sources close to the film’s team revealed that the change in plans stems from the presence of Allu Arjun. The actor is currently out on bail following an arrest related to a tragic incident that occurred at the premiere of his recent film Pushpa 2: The Rule in December. During the premiere at Sandhya Theatre, a stampede occurred as fans surged forward to meet the actor, resulting in the death of a woman and the hospitalization of a young boy in critical condition. The police had claimed that Allu Arjun’s presence at the event was unauthorized, and this has led to the decision to bar public entry for the Thandel event.
This is not the first time that an event involving Allu Arjun has faced issues with crowd control. In September last year, the pre-release event for Devara: Part 1 had to be cancelled due to an uncontrollable crowd that broke through barricades, forcing the cast and crew to be escorted out by security. This incident followed the team’s failure to secure a suitable open-air venue for the event.
Thandel, produced by Bunny Vasu under Geetha Arts and presented by Allu Arjun’s father Allu Aravind, is based on a real-life incident where fishermen from Srikakulam accidentally drifted into Pakistani waters. The film is slated for a theatrical release on February 7.
Sources By Agencies
