Hyderabad: Despite police permission being denied, top Telugu actor Allu Arjun attended the theatre where ‘Pushpa-2’ was screened on December 4, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy charged on Saturday.

Even after the death of a woman in a stampede, the actor did not leave the cinema hall, prompting the police to force him out, CM alleged.

Responding to the issue after AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi raised it in the Assembly, Reddy, referring to videos in circulation, found fault with Allu Arjun for holding a roadshow and waving to the crowds in spite of the heavy crowd.

Reddy further said the theatre management gave a letter to the police on December 2 seeking security for the visit of top actors and others on December 4. However, the police rejected the application, citing difficulties in crowd management.

Before entering the theatre and exiting, the actor stood through the sunroof of his car and waved to the crowds leading to thousands of fans jostling to get a glimpse of him, he said.

He slammed film personalities for making a beeline for Allu Arjun’s residence to meet him after his arrest but not showing empathy to visit the boy who is undergoing treatment in hospital after suffering injuries in the incident.

“I appeal to the top film personalities that they should not be inhuman,” he said.

He also said there won’t be any special privileges when untoward incidents like death in a stampede happen and said the government would not spare those who troubled common people.

A 35-year-old woman died and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised on December 4 during a stampede-like situation at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad when thousands of fans jostled to have a glimpse of the actor at the premiere of the blockbuster ‘Pushpa 2,’.

Following the incident, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s family.

Allu Arjun was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman on December 13. The Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day and he was released from the prison here on December 14 morning.

Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil’s Pushpa 2: The Rule has grossed over Rs 1,500 crore in worldwide box office collection, making it the fastest Indian film to reach the mark. The film, directed by Sukumar, hit the big screens on December 5 and it received mixed reviews from critics and the audience. Recently, it was reported that the film is all set to release on OTT soon. However, the production house has dismissed the reports and shared an update about the digital release of the film.

Taking to their official X account on Friday (December 20), the makers stated that Pushpa 2: The Rule is now available only in theatres and will release on OTT only after 56 days of its theatrical release.

“There are rumours floating around about the OTT release of #Pushpa2TheRule… Enjoy the Biggest Film #Pushpa2 only on the Big Screens in this Biggest Holiday Season ❤️ It won’t be on any OTT before 56 days! It’s #WildFirePushpa only in Theatres Worldwide,” their post read.

Rumours about Pushpa 2’s OTT release

It was reported that the makers have decided to add extra footage of 18 minutes in the film and the new version will release on OTT on Christmas.

Pushpa 2: The Rule is a sequel to 2021’s blockbuster Telugu film Pushpa: The Rise. In the second part of the film, Allu Arjun reprises his role as Pushpa Raj, a labourer who transforms into a sandalwood smuggler, joined by Rashmika as his wife Srivalli and Fahadh as SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat.

The release of Pushpa 2 generated quite a buzz across India and fans left no stone unturned to express their excitement. The film has shattered box office records and cemented itself as one of the biggest films of Indian cinema.

Kathmandu: Actor and film producer John Abraham has sent an urgent letter to Badri Prasad Pandey, Nepal’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, urging him to end the abuse of animals at the Chitwan Elephant Festival, where elephants are beaten into submission and forced to race, give rides, and “play” polo and football.

PETA Asia has exposed late-December festival repeatedly hitting and jabbing elephants with bullhooks (weapons that resemble a fireplace poker with a sharp hook on one end), sticks, and makeshift wooden knives. One elephant was beaten for nearly a minute, and many suffered from deep, bloody wounds around their heads and ears. When not being forced to perform during the festival, the elephants are used for rides by tourists visiting Chitwan.

“These intelligent, sensitive animals endure immense physical and emotional strain during these games,” writes Abraham. “As someone who has witnessed the beauty of elephants in their natural habitat, I can tell you that they symbolise strength, grace, and wisdom. They are a national treasure in so many ways, and Nepal has the opportunity to lead the way in showing the world how to respect and protect these magnificent animals.”

Elephants are highly social animals who thrive in the company of their extended families. Births are joyous celebrations, and the deaths of loved ones are mourned. But elephants in captivity are deprived of everything natural and important to them and often exhibit obsessive, repetitive behaviours indicative of severe psychological distress.

Abraham concludes his letter with a request to Pandey to cancel the elephant games and steer Nepal “towards a future where traditions can evolve to reflect our shared values of kindness and respect for all living, feeling beings.”

“Nepal holds a special place in my heart, and I am confident that its bright future will be shaped by decisions that honour its people, wildlife, and unparalleled natural beauty,” Abraham writes.