AIMIM's Akbaruddin Owaisi accuses Allu Arjun of indifference to stampede victims at Hyderabad's 'Pushpa 2' screening

According to a Times of India report, Owaisi alleged that upon hearing about the stampede during the screening of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4, Arjun said, "The film is going to be a hit now," before continuing to watch the movie.

"I don’t want to name the famous film star, but according to what I know, when he was told about the stampede outside the theatre, which resulted in a woman’s death and two children being injured, he smiled and said that 'the film is going to be a hit now,’" Owaisi was quoted as saying by TOI.

"He then watched the entire film and waved to the crowd as he left. This kind of response sends the message that the government is being unjust," he added, pointing out that the actor did not check on the injured.

Owaisi also slammed Arjun for not taking responsibility in a situation that endangered the public. 

"Where is humanity? I attend public meetings with large crowds and always ensure there’s no stampede. I make sure the security doesn’t push people, preventing harm," he said, according to the report.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also condemned the actor for continuing his roadshow and waving at crowds after the tragedy.

"Despite the police denying permission, the actor attended the screening of Pushpa 2 on December 4. Even after the woman died in the stampede, he stayed in the cinema hall, prompting the police to forcibly escort him out," Reddy said, according to TOI.

Reddy also revealed that the theatre management had requested police security on December 2, ahead of Arjun’s visit on December 4, but it was denied due to concerns about managing the crowd.

The situation worsened when Arjun stood through the sunroof of his car before and after the screening to wave at fans, which caused chaos as thousands rushed to see him.

The CM further criticized the film industry for failing to show empathy for the victims.

"Film personalities who surrounded Allu Arjun after his arrest should have shown concern for the injured boy in the hospital," he was quoted as saying by the publication.

In the aftermath of the incident, police have filed charges against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management at Chikkadpally police station, following a complaint from the deceased woman's family.

The stampede resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and injuries to her eight-year-old son, who remains hospitalized.