Pushpa 2: The Rule Faces Tragedy Amidst Massive Box Office Success
The success of Pushpa 2: The Rule has been momentarily overshadowed by a devastating incident that occurred on the evening of its premiere in Hyderabad on December 4. The highly anticipated film, which saw a record-breaking opening at the box office, was marred by a tragic stampede at the Sandhya Theatre when Allu Arjun and Devi Sri Prasad, the film’s music director, made an unannounced visit to gauge the audience’s reaction. While the theater had been informed of the actor’s arrival, neither the venue’s management nor the police were adequately prepared for the massive crowd that gathered.
The Chaos at Sandhya Theatre
What was meant to be a celebration of Pushpa 2 quickly descended into chaos. The excitement among fans to see Allu Arjun in person led to an uncontrollable crowd surge, which overwhelmed the theatre’s security measures. Despite prior knowledge of the large turnout, the theatre management failed to set up proper crowd control measures or designate a separate exit for the star and his team. As a result, the situation spiraled out of control, culminating in a deadly stampede.
Victims of the Stampede
In the ensuing panic, Revathi, a 35-year-old woman, and her son Sreethej became trapped in the crush of people. SHO B Raju Naik of Chikkadpally Police Station confirmed that police officers on duty immediately performed CPR on Sreethej and rushed both mother and son to the Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital. Tragically, Revathi was declared dead upon arrival, while Sreethej was later transferred to another medical facility for further treatment. The stampede has left the city in shock, with authorities scrambling to determine how such a tragedy could have occurred during what was supposed to be a celebratory moment for the film industry.
Investigation and Legal Action
The Hyderabad Police have filed a case against the individuals responsible for the mismanagement of the event, including the theatre management and security personnel. DCP Akshansh Yadav confirmed that an investigation is underway and assured the public that stringent action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident. The investigation will also look into potential lapses in coordination between the theatre’s management, police, and security teams.
Pushpa 2: A Record-Breaking Box Office Performance
Despite the tragic incident, Pushpa 2 has made an impressive mark at the box office. On its opening day, the film grossed ₹175 crores domestically, a phenomenal figure that speaks to its widespread appeal and anticipation. The film’s Hindi version performed particularly well, earning an impressive ₹64 crores, surpassing the opening-day collection of Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan (2023) by ₹3 crores.
The success of Pushpa 2’s opening day has been a testament to the star power of Allu Arjun and the film’s broad appeal. However, the tragedy has cast a shadow over what would have otherwise been a moment of celebration for the team and their fans.
Acknowledgment and Mourning
In light of the incident, Mythri Movie Makers, the production company behind Pushpa 2, posted a brief acknowledgment of the tragedy, offering condolences for Revathi’s loss and expressing concern for Sreethej’s condition. Allu Arjun has yet to publicly comment on the incident, but it is expected that he will address the tragedy in due time.
While Pushpa 2 continues to play to packed theaters, the incident at Sandhya Theatre has brought the conversation about safety at public events involving celebrities into sharp focus. Fans and event organizers alike are now calling for stronger crowd control measures to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again, particularly at high-profile movie premieres and public appearances.
