The ongoing controversy surrounding the tragic stampede incident at the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule has taken a new turn as the film’s producer, Naveen Yerneni of Mythri Movie Makers, donated ₹50 lakh to the family of the victim, Revathi. The tragic incident occurred on December 4, 2024, at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the film’s premiere, resulting in the death of a woman and the critical hospitalization of her young son.
Producer’s Donation and Condolences
In a heartfelt gesture, Naveen Yerneni addressed the press on Monday, confirming that the ₹50 lakh donation was made to support the bereaved family. In a video shared by trade analyst Manobala Vijayabalan on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Yerneni is seen handing over the cheque to Revathi’s family members. He expressed deep condolences, stating, “It’s very unfortunate what happened. We’ve felt bad about it since it happened and we couldn’t express our feelings. Revathi’s death is a huge loss to her family. Doctors are doing their best to help the boy recover. We want to support the family.”
This donation follows the contributions made earlier by actor Allu Arjun, who donated ₹25 lakh, and the film’s director, Sukumar, who also made a donation of ₹5 lakh to the victim’s family.
Tensions Escalate Following the Incident
The stampede incident, which occurred during Allu Arjun’s visit to the Sandhya Theatre with his co-star Rashmika Mandanna, has continued to stir public controversy. Following the tragedy, Allu Arjun faced fresh allegations that he denied during a press conference on Saturday, clarifying his stance on the matter.
On Sunday, the actor’s Hyderabad residence was reportedly vandalized by a group claiming to be members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OU JAC). Allu Arjun’s father, Allu Aravind, addressed the media, condemning the violence and stating that the police had apprehended the offenders and filed a case against them. He urged the public not to encourage such incidents, saying, “The police are ready to take away anyone else who comes here to create a ruckus.”
Legal Proceedings and Bail
The stampede occurred when Allu Arjun visited the theater on December 4 for the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule, leading to the tragic incident. The situation escalated into a stampede-like scenario, with one woman losing her life and her son being critically injured. Allu Arjun was arrested in connection with the incident on December 13, but was granted interim bail by the Hyderabad High Court on December 14.
As the investigation continues and the legal proceedings unfold, the tragedy has left many questioning the safety protocols and crowd management during such high-profile events. The support from the film’s team and the continued focus on the victim’s family highlights the ongoing efforts to address the unfortunate situation.
Conclusion
While Pushpa 2: The Rule continues to perform well at the box office, the film’s involvement in this tragic incident has overshadowed its commercial success. The donations from Allu Arjun, Sukumar, and now Naveen Yerneni underscore the film fraternity’s attempt to support the victim’s family, though tensions around the case continue to unfold.
Sources By Agencies
