Hyderabad, December 26, 2024: Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, the star of Pushpa 2, finds himself embroiled in a legal battle following the tragic stampede at Sandhya Theatre, which resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and critical injuries to her son. The incident occurred during a special screening of the film on December 4, sparking public outrage. Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 in connection with the case but was subsequently released on bail. Amid growing tensions, a crucial meeting between the Telangana government and representatives of the Telugu film industry is set to take place on December 26 to address the strained relations between the state administration and Tollywood.
The meeting, organized by the Telangana State Film Development Corporation (FDC), will be attended by prominent figures, including Megastar Chiranjeevi, Varun Tej, Venkatesh, producer Allu Aravind, and FDC Chairman Dil Raju. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, along with Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, and other ministers, will also participate. The discussion is expected to focus on fostering better relations between the government and the industry while addressing critical issues such as safety at events and future ticket pricing regulations. Notably, the government has hinted at selective ticket price hikes for message-oriented films, potentially impacting high-budget projects like Game Changer and Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, slated for Sankranti release next year.
Allu Arjun’s arrest followed a heated exchange with CM Revanth Reddy, who accused the actor of organizing a roadshow before the screening, contributing to the stampede. The actor denied these allegations, terming the incident purely accidental. FDC Chairman Dil Raju emphasized the importance of the meeting, stating that it aims to bridge the gap between the government and Tollywood, ensuring such tragic incidents are avoided in the future while preserving the growth and spirit of the industry.
