Pushpa 2 has been engulfed in controversy following a tragic stampede incident at its pre-release event in Hyderabad, which claimed the life of a woman named Revathi and left her young son critically injured. Amid allegations against actor Allu Arjun—denied by the actor during a press meet—producer Naveen Yerneni of Mythri Movie Makers has extended financial assistance to the victim’s family.
On Monday, Yerneni addressed the media and handed over a cheque of ₹50 lakh (approximately £49,000) to Revathi’s family members. A video of the gesture, shared by trade analyst Manobala Vijayabalan on X (formerly Twitter), captured the emotional moment.
Speaking about the incident, Yerneni said:
“It’s very unfortunate what happened. We’ve felt bad about it since it occurred, but we couldn’t express our feelings adequately. Revathi’s death is a huge loss to her family. Doctors are doing their best to help the boy recover. We want to support the family in this difficult time.”
Tensions further escalated on Sunday when Allu Arjun’s Hyderabad residence was vandalised by individuals claiming to belong to the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Osmania University students. The actor’s father, Allu Aravind, addressed the press, saying:
“The police have apprehended the offenders and filed a case against them. Authorities are ready to take action against anyone who comes here to create a ruckus. Incidents like these should not be encouraged.”
The tragic event unfolded on 4 December, when Allu Arjun visited Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad with his family and co-star Rashmika Mandanna. The visit caused a stampede-like situation, leading to the woman’s death and her son’s hospitalisation. Arjun was arrested in connection with the case on December 13 and released on interim bail the following day.
The incident has cast a shadow over Pushpa 2, a highly anticipated sequel in the Pushpa franchise. The controversy has sparked debates on crowd control and event safety in the entertainment industry. While legal proceedings and investigations continue, the donation by the producers is seen as a step towards providing some relief to the grieving family.