Ram Gopal Varma condemns Allu Arjun's arrest: 'Are film stars, political leaders or even Gods liable for stampedes?'

Telugu actor Allu Arjun, who is currently basking in the success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, was arrested on Friday morning by Hyderabad police in connection with a tragic stampede incident at Sandhya Theatre during the film’s premiere. The incident, which occurred on December 4, claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman, M. Revathi, and left her son critically injured.

Allu Arjun, the fourth individual arrested in the case, was taken from his residence to Chikkadpally Police Station for questioning. His arrest has sparked a wave of support from industry colleagues and fans. Actors Rashmika Mandanna, Nani, Vivek Oberoi, Varun Dhawan, and political leader Jagan Mohan Reddy have publicly defended Arjun, calling the situation unjust.

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who is known for his vocal opinions, strongly condemned the arrest. Speaking to ETimes, he remarked, “It’s ridiculous to blame a star for the unfortunate death of a woman in a stampede. Celebrities, by their very appeal, draw huge crowds, whether they are film stars, rock stars, political leaders, or even Gods. Are all of them liable when it’s impossible for any of them to be in control of stampede like situations?”




Allu Arjun’s father, renowned filmmaker Allu Arvind, his brother Allu Sirish, and other family members were present during the arrest. Reports suggest Arjun was displeased with the police entering his private space, expressing his dissatisfaction before leaving with them.

The stampede occurred when Allu Arjun and the Pushpa 2 team visited the Sandhya Theatre to celebrate the film’s screening. The massive crowd, eager for a glimpse of the star, led to chaos. Addressing the tragedy at a success meet on December 7, Arjun shared his heartbreak.



“The incident that took place in Sandhya Theatre is very unfortunate. I’m shocked. It took me hours to process it. I couldn’t cope psychologically; it took me around 10 hours. We all blanked out when we heard the news,” he said.

He pledged to support the bereaved family, contributing Rs 25 lakh and covering the injured boy’s medical expenses. Director Sukumar, visibly shaken, also apologized on behalf of the team. “My heart is broken. I apologize to the family and assure you we will always support you,” he said.