Hyderabad, India — Popular Indian actor Allu Arjun was arrested on Friday after his appearance at a screening of his film, Pushpa 2: The Rule, allegedly triggered a stampede that resulted in the death of a woman.
The tragedy occurred earlier this month in the southern city of Hyderabad, where massive crowds had gathered outside a theatre to catch a glimpse of the 42-year-old actor. The stampede crushed a woman in her 30s, who had attended the screening with her son, who also sustained serious injuries.
Police confirmed Arjun’s arrest on suspicion of three offences, including “voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.” Seven others have also been arrested in connection with the incident, an officer told AFP on the condition of anonymity.
Footage shared by broadcaster TV9 showed Arjun calmly holding a coffee mug while officers arrived at his residence to take him into custody.
The woman’s family has since filed a complaint against Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management, citing negligence as the cause of the tragic stampede, according to reports by India Today.
In a statement shared on social media platform X two days after the incident, Arjun expressed his sorrow:
“I am deeply heartbroken. While respecting their need for space to grieve, I stand committed to extend every possible assistance to help them navigate through this challenging journey.”
Arjun is a celebrated figure in Indian cinema, particularly in southern India, where his Pushpa film franchise has enjoyed massive box office success. He won the Best Actor award at India’s National Film Awards for his role in the series’ first instalment, released two years ago.
The case has sparked widespread discussion about the responsibility of celebrities, event organizers, and authorities in managing large crowds at public events.
