An Indian actor has been taken into custody following an incident at a film screening that resulted in a tragic crush, leading to the death of a woman. The event occurred in the southern city of Hyderabad during a screening of his highly anticipated film, Pushpa 2: The Rule, where large crowds had gathered to see the actor, Allu Arjun.
The 42-year-old actor is facing allegations related to three offenses, including causing harm by dangerous means, according to a police officer familiar with the case. Alongside Arjun, seven others were also detained in connection with the incident.
Footage circulated on social media shows Arjun being approached by officers at his home while he was holding a coffee mug. The distressing event took place on December 4, when a woman in her 30s, who was attending the screening with her son, unfortunately lost her life. Her son is reported to have sustained serious injuries as well. Following the incident, the woman’s family filed a formal complaint against Arjun, his security team, and the management of the venue.
In a statement released two days after the event, Arjun expressed his sorrow, stating he was “deeply heartbroken” by the incident. He acknowledged the family’s grief and affirmed his commitment to assist them during this difficult time.
Allu Arjun enjoys immense popularity in southern India, with the Pushpa film series being a phenomenal commercial success. The actor also received the Best Actor award at India’s National Film Awards for his performance in the first installment of the franchise, which was launched in 2021.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the intense fan culture surrounding celebrities in India and underscores the need for improved crowd management and safety measures during public events, which could potentially prevent such tragedies in the future.