Hyderabad: A tragic stampede at the highly anticipated Pushpa 2: The Rule premiere in Hyderabad claimed the life of a woman and left a young boy critically injured. The incident unfolded on Wednesday night at Sandhya Theatre, RTC Crossroads, when a massive crowd surged to catch a glimpse of superstar Allu Arjun, who was present to watch the film with the production team.
Around 10:30 pm, chaos erupted as the theatre’s main gate collapsed under the pressure of the overwhelming crowd. In the commotion, the woman and the boy—believed to be her son—collapsed. Police personnel quickly administered CPR and rushed them to a hospital. Despite their efforts, the woman succumbed to her injuries, while the boy remains in critical condition.
To manage the situation, law enforcement deployed additional forces and reportedly resorted to mild force to disperse the unruly crowd. Officials pointed out that the theatre’s limited capacity was insufficient to handle the large number of fans who gathered for the event.
Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar, is the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise. The movie, featuring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, premiered in select theatres across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Bengaluru. The excitement surrounding the release led to increased ticket prices in some regions, sparking legal disputes.
The tragic incident has overshadowed the film’s grand launch, emphasizing the importance of safety and crowd management at public events. As the film rolls out on over 10,000 screens, the unfortunate events in Hyderabad remain a somber reminder of the risks of unregulated gatherings.
