Last updated:December 23, 2024, 14:54 IST

Protestors demanding compensation for the death of a woman during a stampede at the screening of Pushpa 2 broke flower pots at actor Allu Arjun’s Hyderabad residence. Six people were arrested and released on bail.

Allu Arjun targeted over woman’s death during Pusha 2 screening (Photo: X)

At least six people were arrested for breaking flower pots and other items at the residence of top Telugu actor Allu Arjun in Hyderabad on Sunday, demanding justice for the woman who died in a stampede at the screening of ‘Pushpa-2’. Were demanding. News agency ANI reported that those arrested were, however, granted bail on Monday.

Speaking to journalists, the accused’s lawyer Ramdas said, ‘Students of Osmania University were protesting peacefully. When the police force attacked him he acted in self-defence. Police registered a case against him. After appearing before the judge today, six people have been granted bail without any conditions and without any fine.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that the incident was “state sponsored terrorism”, and that Allu Arjun was targeted because he had refused to campaign for the Congress party.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy also condemned the incident and directed the state Director General of Police and the city Police Commissioner to be strict in maintaining law and order.

What happened at Allu Arjun’s house?

According to police, a group of people claiming to be members of Osmania University Joint Action Committee attacked Allu Arjun’s residence on Sunday. One of the protesters climbed the compound wall of the actor’s house and started throwing tomatoes.

A police release said that when the security staff protested and persuaded them to come down from the wall, the protesters assaulted the security staff and damaged some flower pots.

It said the protesters raised slogans and spoke to the media waiting at the gate.

As soon as information about the incident was received, Jubilee Hills police reached the spot and arrested six people. A case was registered against the six arrested and some others involved in the vandalism.

Police also said that any unruly behavior will not be tolerated.

The protesters raising slogans against Allu Arjun demanded financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to the family of the deceased woman.

It was written on the placard left by him that crores of rupees are earned by making films, while the people watching the films are dying.

According to police sources, Allu Arjun was not at home at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the actor’s house.

A police release from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central Zone, said a report is being sent to the DGP to initiate disciplinary action against suspended police officer Vishnu Murthy.

It said that the DGP office will investigate the matter and take necessary action.

Allu Arjun appeals to fans to be responsible

In an ex post on Sunday, Allu Arjun appealed to his fans to express emotions responsibly and not use abusive language.

“I appeal to all my fans, as always, to express their feelings responsibly and not resort to any kind of abusive language or behavior online and offline,” the actor tweeted.

Allu Arjun’s father condemned the attack

Commenting on the incident, Allu Arjun’s father and veteran producer Allu Aravind said that he will let the law take its course.

“You saw what happened outside our house. But this is the time for us to exercise restraint. At present we should not react to all this. The police came and took them away. Later he registered a case. The actor’s father said, if anyone comes here to create trouble, the police is ready to take him away.

“No one should encourage these types of incidents. We will not comment on this. This is the time for us to exercise restraint. The law will take its course,” he told reporters.

BJP’s attack on Congress

In the wake of the attacks, BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya wrote in an ex-post that Congress is targeting Allu Arjun because he has refused to campaign for them.

“National Award winning actor Allu Arjun’s house was pelted with stones. This is state sponsored terrorism,” Malviya wrote in an ex-post, sharing a video of the attack.

“Congress is targeting Allu Arjun because he has refused to campaign for them. First, he was hastily arrested for a crime he did not commit.”

In another “This was not a random act, but a deliberate state-sponsored attack on the actor.”

“From the Chief Minister to senior Telangana police officers, their actions and statements reflect a spirit of vengeance, as if they hold a personal grudge against Allu Arjun,” he said.

The main accused in the stone pelting incident at the house of National Award-winning actor Allu Arjun is a close aide of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. This was not a random act but a deliberate state-sponsored attack on the actor. From Chief Minister to senior police… pic.twitter.com/I0Ud7O3PAa– Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) 23 December 2024

BJP’s Telangana state president also condemned the incident and said, “The incident of stone pelting at actor Allu Arjun’s residence in Hyderabad highlights the shocking failure of law and order under the Congress government in the state.”

“The incidents reflect the administration’s inability to ensure the safety and security of citizens. Targeting artistes and the film industry has become a dangerous norm under the Congress government in Telangana. Is this Congress supported/sponsored?” (sic), he wrote in an ex post.

The incident of stone pelting at actor Allu Arjun’s residence in Hyderabad highlights the shocking failure of law and order under the Congress government in the state. The incidents reflect the administration’s inability to ensure the safety and security of citizens.… pic.twitter.com/xhRMmNs1mj– G Kishan Reddy (@kisanreddybjp) 22 December 2024

Speaking to the media, BJP leader NV Subhash said, “One should not attack anyone’s residence, there could be elderly people, children, women and workers inside the residence. This incident is unacceptable, we condemn it.”

“Why is Revanth Sarkar doing witchcraft on film personalities? The then government developed so many systems and infrastructure in Telangana, especially Hyderabad, that the entire unit from Chennai was shifted here. Such attitude of Revanth Reddy government and Telangana Police is not acceptable.”

Congress denies link-up allegations

On reports that one of the Congress youth workers was behind the attack on Allu Arjun’s house, Telangana Congress leader Sama Rama Mohan Reddy denied the allegations and told CNN-News18 that there was no involvement between the Congress party, the Chief Minister or anyone There was no relation. Office colleague and case.

“He is also a student of Osmania University,” Reddy said of one of the men involved.

“The attack has also been condemned by the Chief Minister and there is no connection between the attack and the Congress party, or the Chief Minister, or any associate in the office,” he said.

“The government is very transparent and we have initiated action against the accused. This is nothing but a political drama by Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) and BJP. We are with the common man and the opposition is supporting a celebrity who is an accused,” Reddy told CNN-News18.

Earlier, some photographs on social media showed one of the attackers, reportedly identified as Kodangal Youth Congress president Srinivas Reddy, with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

(Srinivasa Reddy was recently appointed Congress youth president from Kodangal. He has been associated with the party since 2020).

On Monday, MLC Venkat Balamoor also held BRS’s KT Rama Rao responsible for the attack and shared a photo with Rao Reddy Srinu Mudiraj, whom he identified as the one who allegedly attacked Allu Arjun’s house.

,I strongly condemn the attack on Allu Arjun’s house. The Congress Party will never encourage activities that disrupt peace and security. Whoever made the mistake, it is their mistake. No member of the party will be ignored,” Balmur wrote on X.

“If it is the Congress party, strict steps will be taken, but there will be no laxity. CM Revanth Reddy’s tweet yesterday on this issue reflects the policy of the Congress government.”

“Attack on Allu Arjun’s house… Is there a conspiracy angle in KTR? Recently KTR has been doing such unethical acts to defame the government. Now, Reddy Srinu Mudiraj, who attacked Allu Arjun’s house, is a disciple of KTR… This picture is proof of it… It is suspected that he was behind the attack,” (sic), in the regional language his A rough translation of the post suggested.

Despite receiving news of woman’s death, Allu Arjun did not leave the theater

Allu Arjun did not leave the theater despite being asked to leave in view of the death of a woman in a stampede during the screening of ‘Pushpa 2’ on December 4, police officials said on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference on the annual round-up of 2024, city police commissioner CV Anand showed a video made by the police on the situation at the time of the stampede.

The video was created by collecting footage, including news channels and cell phone clips. This shows that the actor remained in the theater till midnight.

Anand did not comment on the video but said the media can draw their own conclusions.

A police officer spoke about the sequence of events on the fateful night of December 4.

He said that he and other police officers informed a manager of Allu Arjun about the woman’s death and told him that the situation was out of control. He indicated that he was not allowed to meet the actor.

He said, Allu Arjun’s staff members told him that they would take the matter to the actor but they did not do so.

The officer said he later managed to reach the actor, told him about the woman’s death and asked him to leave the theater so that fans would not harm each other while trying to catch a glimpse of him.

The officer also told the actor that security arrangements would be made for his exit.

However, the actor said he would leave only after watching the film, the police officer said.

Later, officials along with a senior officer went inside and brought the actor out, he said.

Last updated:December 24, 2024, 00:02 IST

The filmmaker breathed his last at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai.

Shyam Benegal passed away at the age of 90. (X)

famous filmmaker Shyam Benegal passes away On Monday, at the age of 90, after suffering from a serious kidney ailment for several days. The filmmaker breathed his last at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai.

Leaders from all parties condoled Bengal’s demise, saying the filmmaker’s demise marks the end of a glorious chapter of Indian cinema.

President Draupadi Murmu condoled Benegal’s demise and highlighted his achievements, saying he started a new kind of cinema and produced many classics

“The demise of Shri Shyam Benegal marks the end of a glorious chapter of Indian cinema and television. He started a new kind of cinema and produced many classic films. A true institution, he groomed many actors and artists. His extraordinary contribution was recognized in the form of several awards including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the Padma Bhushan. “My condolences to his family members and his countless fans,” the president said in a post on Twitter.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed grief over the demise of Benegal and said, “Saddened by the demise of Shri Shyam Benegal ji. A Padma Bhushan recipient and a visionary filmmaker, his pioneering works significantly enriched the landscape of Indian cinema. Sri Benegal’s pioneering films addressed social realities with unmatched depth and sensitivity. His contribution to art, culture and storytelling will always be remembered with deep respect. My heartfelt condolences to his family and fans at this difficult time.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled Benegal’s demise, saying that the filmmaker’s storytelling had a deep impact on Indian cinema.

“Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Shyam Benegal ji, whose storytelling had a profound impact on Indian cinema. His works will continue to be praised by people from different walks of life. Condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti,” he said on X.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that Benegal’s tremendous contribution in the field of art has left an indelible mark.

“We are deeply saddened by the demise of the great filmmaker, Shyam Benegal, a towering figure of Indian cinema and a true pioneer of the parallel cinema movement. Marked by thought-provoking storytelling and deep commitment to social issues, his tremendous contribution to the field of art leaves an indelible mark. His works like ‘Bharat, Ek Khoj’ based on Pandit Nehru’s ‘The Discovery of India’ and the series ‘Samvidhan’ based on the Constituent Assembly debates are a valuable reference point for young audiences. Recipient of 18 National Film Awards as well as the prestigious Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Awards, his legacy will continue to inspire generations of filmmakers. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans,” he said on X.

Congress leader and Lok Sabha leader Rahul Gandhi said the filmmaker’s legacy in cinema and commitment to social issues will inspire generations.

“Saddened by the demise of Shyam Benegal ji, a visionary filmmaker who brought India’s stories to life with depth and sensitivity. His legacy in cinema and commitment to social issues will inspire generations. Heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and fans around the world,” he said on X.

Expressing grief over his demise, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Saddened by the demise of our eminent filmmaker Shyam Benegal. A pillar of Indian parallel cinema, he is loved and admired by all connoisseurs. My condolences to his family, friends and followers.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also condoled the demise of the veteran filmmaker, saying it was an “irreparable loss” to the film industry.

In a post in Hindi on The Chief Minister said that Benegal’s unforgettable contribution was in giving Indian cinema a new and unique identity in the world. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant salvation to the departed soul and may his bereaved family and fans bear this immense grief. Give me the strength to do it!” he said.

Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi said Benegal was a true companion who communicated with the society and times through art.

“Shyam Benegal ji brought alive on screen the stories of pain, struggle and change of Indian society. The sensitivity of ‘Nishant’, the message of ‘Manthan’ and the philosophy of ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ – each of his creations is an inspiration. He was a true companion who communicated with society and time through art. Today an era of public voice in cinema has ended. Humble tribute,” he said on X.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “It is a sad occasion that famous director Shyam Benegal has passed away. He brought parallel cinema to the forefront. He received many national awards. His service to Indian cinema is incomparable and his passing is the end of an era. I pay my homage to the departed soul.”

Shyam Benegal’s career spanned more than five decades, cementing his position as a leading filmmaker in Indian cinema. He debuted in the film industry with the 1974 film Ankur. His subsequent films, such as “Nishant” (1975), “Manthan” (1976), and “Bhumika” (1977) cemented his reputation as an accomplished director, earning him numerous national and international accolades.

Later, Benegal also made several critically acclaimed films such as “Mandi” (1983), “Trikaal” (1985), and “Sardari Begum” (1996). His last release was Mujib: The Making of a Nation, which was released in theaters in 2023. ,