Hyderabad: A tragic incident unfolded at Hyderabad's Sandhya Theatre during the much-anticipated premiere of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' on Wednesday evening, resulting in the death of a 35-year-old woman and serious injuries to her nine-year-old son.
Massive crowds had gathered at the theatre to catch a glimpse of the film’s star, Allu Arjun, who was accompanied by music director Devi Sri Prasad for the screening. Chaos erupted as fans surged toward the venue, leading to the collapse of the theatre's main gate under pressure from the crowd.
Stampede Details:
The stampede turned fatal despite police intervention. Officers resorted to lathi charge to disperse the unruly mob, but the situation spiraled out of control.
- The injured boy was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
- Thousands of fans had gathered not just for the film but to see the production team members.
Police Response:
Additional reinforcements were deployed to prevent further escalation. The authorities confirmed that they are investigating the incident and working on measures to improve crowd management at public events.
About 'Pushpa 2: The Rule':
Directed by Sukumar, 'Pushpa 2' is the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster 'Pushpa: The Rise' and has been released across 10,000 screens in multiple languages.
- Stars: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil
- Format: The film is being screened in 2D and 4DX, with plans for a 3D version scrapped due to post-production delays.
Amid the film's release, ticket prices in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were hiked, sparking court petitions. However, the Telangana High Court allowed the screenings to proceed despite objections.
This tragic event highlights the urgent need for crowd control measures during high-profile film releases. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
