Following the tragic stampede during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule in Hyderabad, which claimed a woman’s life and injured her eight-year-old son, the Telangana government has taken decisive action to enhance public safety. Announced by Minister for Cinematography Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, the measures include a ban on actors visiting theatres and hosting benefit shows before movie releases. This aims to prevent chaotic situations during high-profile film events.
Despite ongoing support for the film industry through special incentives, the government reaffirmed its decision not to increase cinema ticket prices. This stance follows past allowances for price hikes in big-budget films, including Pushpa 2. The announcement also highlighted concerns over the incident at Sandhya Theatre, which Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy discussed in the Assembly.
Minister Venkat Reddy criticized actor Allu Arjun for defying police instructions by visiting the theatre and hosting an unauthorized roadshow, which worsened the situation. The minister condemned the lack of outreach from the film’s team to the affected family. Reddy personally stepped in, providing Rs 25 lakh in compensation to the deceased’s family and ensuring continued medical care for the injured child, Sri Teja, who remains in critical condition.
The Chief Minister assured the Assembly that stringent steps would be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. While considering case-by-case requests for ticket price adjustments, the government’s priority remains public safety. This incident has underscored the need for stricter regulations around movie promotions and the accountability of film personalities.
