Prominent Telugu actor Allu Arjun is facing intense scrutiny after a tragic stampede occurred at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the premiere of Pushpa 2 on December 4, 2024. The incident claimed the life of a woman, leading to Allu Arjun’s brief detention. Following his arrest, the actor spent a night in jail before being granted interim bail.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy openly criticized Allu Arjun, holding him accountable for the chaos. In response, Allu Arjun held a press conference to address the incident, denying any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand presented video evidence during a separate media briefing, reportedly showing Allu Arjun present in the theatre during the stampede. However, Anand withheld additional details, citing the ongoing investigation.
The situation took a dramatic turn when CV Anand made controversial remarks, accusing the national media of being “bought over” and “lacking shame.” A video of his comments, recorded during the briefing, quickly went viral, triggering outrage among journalists and social media users.
Amid mounting backlash, CV Anand issued a public apology on X (formerly Twitter):
“I apologize for losing my cool when repeatedly asked provocative questions about the ongoing investigation. My remarks about the national media were unwarranted and inappropriate. I deeply regret my outburst and withdraw my comments unconditionally.”
I apologise for losing my cool when asked continuous provoking questions on ongoing investigations and making unnecessary general remarks about national media . I feel bad that I got provoked and it was wrong and should have kept calm .I withdraw my remarks wholeheartedly 🙏🏻
— CV Anand IPS (@CVAnandIPS) December 22, 2024
Despite his apology, the media fraternity remains dissatisfied, criticizing Anand’s conduct. Meanwhile, Allu Arjun and his family have opted to remain silent to avoid further complications.
The Sandhya Theatre stampede has sparked widespread public and media attention, with its legal and social ramifications continuing to unfold.