Telugu superstar Allu Arjun has urged his fans to maintain decorum and refrain from abusive behavior, both online and offline, in light of recent allegations against him related to the tragic Sandhya Theatre stampede incident.
On December 4, a stampede-like situation unfolded at the Hyderabad cinema hall during the premiere of Arjun’s much-anticipated film 'Pushpa 2: The Rule'. The incident led to the unfortunate death of a 35-year-old woman and left her eight-year-old son injured.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently accused the actor of visiting the theatre without police authorisation, further escalating the controversy. Arjun, however, denied the claim and asserted that his visit was coordinated under police directions.
Allu Arjun’s statement
Taking to social media on Sunday, Arjun addressed his fans, cautioning them to behave responsibly.
"I appeal to all my fans to express their feelings responsibly, as always, and not resort to any kind of abusive language or behaviour both online and offline," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He also warned against fake accounts posing as his fans and spreading negativity. "Misrepresenting as my fans with fake IDs and fake profiles, if someone indulges in abusive posts, strong action will be taken against them. I request the fans not to engage with such posts," Arjun added.
Hours after the Chief Minister’s remarks, Arjun refuted the allegations, stating they were baseless. He clarified that he arrived at the venue following directions from the police and denied conducting a roadshow or waving to the crowd, as had been alleged.
Updates on the victim’s family
The eight-year-old boy injured during the stampede is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Hyderabad. According to reports, his condition has stabilised, and he is maintaining vital parameters without external support.
Legal actions
Following the tragic incident, the Hyderabad police filed a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the management of Sandhya Theatre. The charges were based on a complaint from the deceased woman’s family, invoking multiple sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Arjun was taken into custody on December 13 in connection with the woman’s death. However, the Telangana High Court granted him interim bail for four weeks on the same day. He was subsequently released on December 14.