New Delhi:
In a bid to mend the strained relations between the Telangana government and the Telugu film industry, a crucial meeting was held on Thursday between Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and prominent figures from Tollywood. The meeting, facilitated by Telangana State Film Development Corporation (TGFDC) Chairman Dil Raju, aimed to foster “healthy relations” between the government and the industry, particularly in the wake of the recent stampede incident at Sandhya Theatre that resulted in the death of a woman during the screening of Allu Arjun’s movie “Pushpa 2: The Rule”.
Main Body Section
Ensuring Law and Order
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasized that there would be no compromise in ensuring law and order, a message he conveyed firmly to the gathering of Telugu movie actors, directors, and producers. Reddy stressed that crowd control is a shared responsibility between celebrities and the police. He highlighted the importance of actors cooperating with law enforcement when appearing in public, as was the case with Allu Arjun on December 4 at Sandhya Theatre.
Ban on Benefit Shows and Security Measures
In response to the incident, the Chief Minister announced a ban on benefit shows or special screenings of movies for the time being. Additionally, he warned private security personnel employed by high-profile actors, citing the reckless behavior of Allu Arjun’s security team during the stampede. The Hyderabad Police alleged that these security personnel aggravated the situation, which led to the death of a 35-year-old woman, Revathi, and serious injuries to her son, Sri Tej.
Industry Representation and Compensation
The meeting was attended by several big names from the Telugu film industry, including Allu Arjun’s father Allu Arvind, and Dil Raju. Allu Arvind announced that a sum of Rs 2 crore would be given to the woman’s husband as compensation for his wife’s death and to support the future of his son. This gesture was part of the industry’s efforts to show solidarity and take responsibility for the tragic event.
Police Allegations and Actor’s Response
The police investigation revealed that the stampede was triggered by Allu Arjun’s unannounced appearance at the theatre, which drew a large and unruly crowd. Allu Arjun’s team, however, contested this claim, stating that they had informed the police about the actor’s visit in advance. Despite this, the police maintained that the letter sent by the actor’s team was insufficient and lacked the necessary details and coordination with the theatre management.
Allu Arjun himself denied any responsibility for the stampede, stating that he had no control over the actions of others and that the police had been informed of his movements. He described the incident as “very unfortunate” and criticized what he called “misinformation” and “character assassination” against him.
Legal Developments and Public Sentiment
Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 and later granted bail by the Telangana High Court. The victim’s husband has expressed no blame towards Allu Arjun and has indicated his willingness to withdraw the police case. This sentiment reflects a broader public understanding that the incident, though tragic, may not be solely attributable to the actor.
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