Entertainment News: During a press meet celebrating the success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, Allu Arjun and director Sukumar expressed heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate stampede that occurred at the films premiere on December 4 in Hyderabad. Sukumar, visibly emotional, stated, “Ive worked on this film for six years, but the past three days have been devastating. I cannot create a life my heart is broken due to what happened. I deeply apologize to the family and assure them of our continued support.”Allu Arjun Reflects on the IncidentAllu Arjun, while thanking global audiences and the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for their support, also expressed his sorrow. “We are extremely sorry. We genuinely didnt know what had happened. Ive been attending premieres for 20 years, and its deeply unfortunate that such an incident occurred,” he remarked. Addressing the criticism over his delayed response, Arjun explained, “It took me time to process the situation. Sukumar garu and the entire team were emotionally affected. We all needed time to stabilize and respond appropriately.”Clarifying His Exit from the TheatreArjun clarified that his departure from Sandhya Theatre midway through the screening was due to management advice, not knowledge of the tragedy. “I left because management said my presence was disrupting peace. We only learned about the death the next day, and it left us shocked,” he said.Reiterating his commitment to the grieving family, Arjun shared, “The ₹25 lakh Ive contributed is only a gesture of support. I want to give them space to grieve and will meet them once they recover. While I cannot replace their loss, Ill assist them however I can.” The stampede, which led to the tragic death of a woman and critical injuries to her young son, resulted in legal action against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management. Public criticism ensued, with some accusing Arjun of evading responsibility. Addressing these accusations, Arjun released a video offering condolences and vowed accountability.
