Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has voiced his strong disapproval over the recent arrest of actor Allu Arjun, following a stampede incident that occurred during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule in Hyderabad. In a series of posts on social media, Varma criticized the police action and urged fellow celebrities to unite and protest against what he perceives as an unfair treatment of Allu Arjun.
The Incident at the Pushpa 2 Premiere
On December 4, Allu Arjun attended a special screening of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, accompanied by his wife Sneha Reddy and co-star Rashmika Mandanna. The presence of the popular actor caused an overwhelming crowd to gather, which quickly turned chaotic. The stampede that ensued tragically resulted in the death of a woman and the hospitalization of her young son.
In response to the incident, police filed an FIR against both Allu Arjun and the theatre management, citing the lack of prior notification regarding the actor’s visit. Subsequently, on December 13, Arjun was arrested from his home and detained overnight at Chanchalaguda Central Jail. He was granted bail after a four-week interim order from the Telangana High Court.
Ram Gopal Varma’s Outrage
Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Ram Gopal Varma expressed his frustration, questioning whether it was a crime for celebrities like Allu Arjun to be immensely popular. “Every STAR should STRONGLY protest against @alluarjun‘s ARREST because for any celebrity, whether it’s a FILM STAR or a POLITICAL STAR, is it a crime for them to be ENORMOUSLY POPULAR???” Varma wrote in his post.
Varma drew parallels with a similar situation from the filming of Kshana Kshanam (1991), where a crowd had gathered to see actress Sridevi during a shooting. “3 people died in the lakhs of crowd who came to see SRIDEVI in the shooting of my film KSHANA KSHANAM ..So will the #TelanganaPolice now go to #HEAVEN to ARREST #sridevi ???” he added, suggesting that the responsibility of managing such large gatherings should not fall solely on the celebrities.
Divided Reactions on Social Media
Ram Gopal Varma’s views sparked a heated debate online. Some users sided with him, stating that celebrities should not be blamed for the crowds they attract. “I agree with RGV on this,” one user commented. Others, however, pointed out that while celebrities do influence crowds, the management of such large gatherings should be a shared responsibility. “It’s a complex situation. Celebrities do influence crowds, but the management of such large gatherings should be a shared responsibility,” said another user.
Despite the division of opinions, many social media users also applauded Varma’s stance, with one praising his perspective, writing, “Always correct #RGV Sir mind.” Others shared their thoughts on the dangers of such popularity, with one person noting, “It’s wild how popularity can lead to such chaos. Celebrating talent should be safe for everyone.”
Conclusion
The arrest of Allu Arjun has stirred strong emotions in both the public and celebrity circles. While some criticize the treatment of the actor, others emphasize the need for better safety protocols at large public events. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the incident will prompt changes in how public gatherings involving celebrities are managed to ensure the safety of all attendees.
Sources By Agencies
