‘Pushpa 2’ Stampede Case Timeline: As Allu Arjun Appears For Questioning, Here’s 10 Things We Know So Far 

Pushpa 2: The Rule is setting new box office benchmarks, even as its lead star Allu Arjun's troubles seem never-ending. The actor on Tuesday appeared before the Chikkadpally police in Hyderabad for questioning, in connection with the stampede that had erupted during a screening of the Telugu blockbuster on December 4, leading to the death of a woman.

The incident has snowballed into a controversy, with Allu Arjun at the center of it all. While the woman had passed away, her nine-year-old son remains critical with brain damage.

Here’s a timeline of the case so far:

1. Premiere Turns Tragic: Pushpa 2: The Rule, after a heavy-duty promotional cycle of a month, finally gears up for release on December 5. A day before its wide-scale opening, some select special preview shows are held across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. One such screening takes place at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, where Allu Arjun decides to show up, causing hysteria among his fans. This results in a stampede, which leaves a woman dead and several injured, including her nine-year-old son.

2. Legal Heat: The police files a case against the theatre management, Allu Arjun, and his security team for going ahead with the said visit— despite being clearly instructed otherwise sensing a tense situation. The film witnesses an earth-shattering box-office opening.

3. Allu Arjun Announces Compensation: Two days later, on December 6, Allu Arjun announces compensation for the deceased. He offers the family financial assistance of ₹ 25 lakh, and promises to take care of the medical expenses of the injured. “Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and I will meet the family personally,” he posts on X.

4. Arrest and Bail Drama: Despite this, pressure keeps mounting on Arjun. He files a criminal petition in the Telangana High Court, seeking to quash the FIR, which he claimed had no factual basis. But things take a turn on December 13, when the star is arrested. However, he is granted four-week interim bail by the Telangana High Court on the same day.

5. Blame Game Beefs Up: Arjun spends a night in jail, and is released on December 14, shortly after which the actor addresses the media and reiterates that the situation was “totally out of my control”. The police, however, blame Allu Arjun, pointing out how his action of waving to fans from the sunroof of his car attracted huge crowds to the main gate of the cinema hall. The police claim that the actor's team didn't pay heed, despite being intimated to take him back. They claim Allu Arjun was inside the cinema hall for over two hours.

Read More | Allu Arjun Questioned And Detained by Hyderabad Police

6. Solidarity Show: Telugu film stars, including Naga Chaitanya, Rana Daggubati and Vijay Deverakonda, along with Pushpa 2: The Rule director Sukumar visit Allu Arjun at his Jubilee residence. The media captures every move, every hug, and every laughter exchange, as family and friends reunite and pose for the cameras, unaware of what's in store.

7. CM Reddy’s Remarks: On December 21, Telangana Chief Minister A Revantha Reddy blasts Allu Arjun, claiming that the actor continued to watch the film in the theatre, despite being informed that a woman had died. The CM claimed the Chikkadpally police station refused permission citing security and law and order problems. “Despite the DCP asking Allu Arjun to leave at around midnight, he did not want to go, as he wanted to watch the entire film,” he claimed.

8. Allu Arjun’s Defence: Allu Arjun denies being aware that a woman had died while he was at the screening. "I was in the theatre with my wife and two children. Do you think that with my kids in tow, I would be so insensitive to the situation?” Allu Arjun told the media in a press conference. “Do you think if the police had told me that a woman had died and a child was in the hospital, I would have been so inhumane to not leave the theatre? Especially if the police told me that my presence had caused the mishap?” an emotional Allu Arjun addressed the media in a press conference.

9. Evidence Emerges: A day after Allu Arjun's denial, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner CV Anand posts a video of the sequence of events that led to the stampede on December 4. The footage with timestamps suggested that the actor remained seated in the cinema hall, despite being informed of the tragedy.

10. Protests Erupt: On December 23, protestors vandalise Allu Arjun's residence. Claiming to be members of the Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC), the group barges into his premises, pelting tomatoes and even vandalising flower pots. Shortly after that, visuals emerged of Allu Arjun's children being reportedly escorted to a safer location. CM Reddy also condemns the incident, instructing the police to take strict measures.