Hyderabad: Three individuals associated with Sandhya Theatre were arrested in connection with the tragic death of a 35-year-old woman during the premiere of Allu Arjun’s film Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4. The incident, which occurred due to overcrowding, also left the woman’s eight-year-old son hospitalised from asphyxiation.
According to Hyderabad Police, the arrests include one of the theatre’s owners, the senior manager, and the lower balcony in-charge. The theatre management has been accused of failing to arrange adequate security despite being aware of the large crowd expected for Allu Arjun’s appearance. A case was registered at Chikkadpally police station under sections 105 and 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police stated that the lack of separate entry and exit points for the actor and his team worsened the chaos. Around 9:30 PM, when Allu Arjun arrived with his security, the crowd surged toward the theatre entrance, leading to a stampede. Fans overwhelmed the lower balcony area, creating a dangerous situation.
Hyderabad Police highlighted that negligence by the theatre management played a major role in the tragedy. Investigations are ongoing, and the eight-year-old boy remains under medical care.
