The trailer launch of the highly anticipated film Pushpa 2: The Rule took place in a grand event at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, on Sunday evening, attracting a massive crowd of over 10,000 enthusiastic fans. The event featured the film’s stars, Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna, but as the excitement escalated, things spiraled out of control. Fans, eager to get closer to the stars, climbed barricades and other structures, causing a stampede-like situation. In response, the police had to use a “mild” lathi charge to restore order, according to reports.

According to news agency ANI, several fans were seen climbing on scaffolding and structures set up at Gandhi Maidan to catch a glimpse of the celebrities. The situation quickly became chaotic, prompting security personnel to intervene with baton charges to manage the large crowd.

Footage from the event showed some attendees throwing slippers and other objects at the police when they were stopped from advancing towards the stage or climbing the structures for a better view. Despite the chaos, police officials reassured the public that the situation was under control. “Only a small group of people who attempted to cross the barricade were removed. Adequate security measures were in place at the event,” said Rajeev Mishra, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Patna. Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh also confirmed that everything was under control.

Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar, is the sequel to the 2021 hit Pushpa: The Rise. The film continues the story of Allu Arjun’s character, a smuggler, and stars Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna, who reprise their roles from the first film. Made on a reported budget of ₹300 crore, Pushpa 2 is one of the most anticipated Indian films of the year. The trailer has already generated massive buzz, amassing over 10 million views across all languages in just a few hours. The film is slated for release in theaters on December 5.