AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi hit out at Telugu superstar Allu Arjun for his insensitive actions and lack of responsibility following a tragic stampede at the premiere of his blockbuster film ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ in Hyderabad.

While addressing the Telangana Assembly, Owaisi pointed out that despite the stampede resulting in the death of a woman, Allu Arjun continued to watch the movie and even waved to fans as he exited the venue.

Owaisi, without explicitly naming the actor, stated, “According to my information, when Allu Arjun learned about the stampede and the loss of life, he remarked, ‘now the movie will be hit.'”

The stampede occurred on December 4 when a large crowd gathered at the Sandhya theatre to catch a glimpse of Arjun and his co-star Rashmika Mandhana. This tragic incident led to the death of a 39-year-old woman and left her son severely injured. Authorities noted that the theatre management failed to make proper crowd control arrangements.

“Despite the stampede incident, he (Allu Arjun) still watched the film and waved at fans from his car on his way out. He didn’t even take the time to check on the victims or their families. I also attend public meetings with large crowds, but I ensure that no chaos occurs,” Owaisi added.

On December 13, Allu Arjun was arrested at his home amid dramatic circumstances related to the incident. A lower court initially placed him in judicial custody for 14 days, but he was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court on the same day. He had to spend a night in jail due to delays in the processing of the bail order.

During the Assembly session, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accused Allu Arjun of attending the screening of ‘Pushpa 2’ despite police having denied permission. Reddy claimed that the actor did not immediately leave the cinema after the tragic incident, necessitating police intervention to escort him out.

Responding to the issue raised by Akbaruddin Owaisi, Reddy highlighted existing video evidence that criticized Allu Arjun for holding a roadshow and waving to the crowd despite the overwhelming number of fans present.

Reddy also noted that the theatre management had requested police security in a letter dated December 2, ahead of the event on December 4, but the police rejected the application, citing crowd management challenges.

Amid growing anticipation and speculation about the digital release of Pushpa 2: The Rule, the film’s production team has clarified the timeline for its arrival on OTT platforms. Following its theatrical release earlier this month, the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise continues to captivate audiences with its high-octane action and gripping storyline.

On Friday, the film’s production house, Mythri Movie Makers, took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the ongoing rumors about an early digital release. In a tweet, they confirmed that the film will remain exclusively in theatres for a minimum of 56 days, ensuring that fans can enjoy the experience on the big screen without the distraction of online streaming.

“We know there are rumors floating around about the OTT release of #Pushpa2TheRule,” the tweet read. “Enjoy the biggest film #Pushpa2 only on the big screens this holiday season. It won’t be on any OTT before 56 days! It’s #WildFirePushpa only in theatres worldwide (fire emoji).”

The clarification was met with an overwhelmingly positive response from fans, many of whom shared their enthusiasm about the decision. One fan commented, “Pushpa 2 deserves the big screen experience. Let’s keep the wildfire alive,” while another expressed approval with, “It won’t be on any OTT before 56 days! Brilliant decision.” Fans praised the move for maintaining the film’s theatrical exclusivity before venturing into digital platforms.

In addition to the theatrical release, the film is slated to feature an extended version, adding 18 more minutes of footage. This updated cut is scheduled for release on December 25, coinciding with the Christmas holiday season, ensuring a festive treat for audiences.

Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar, is the highly anticipated sequel to Pushpa: The Rise, and continues the saga of Pushpa Raj, a laborer-turned-sandalwood smuggler, played by Allu Arjun. The movie, which was released in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam, has already made a remarkable impact at the box office. As of now, Pushpa 2 has crossed Rs. 1004.35 crore net in India, joining the ranks of other major blockbusters like Baahubali 2, RRR, Pathaan, and Jawan in the coveted Rs. 1,000 crore club.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the film also features Jagapathi Babu, Dhananjaya, Rao Ramesh, Sunil, and Anasuya Bharadwaj in pivotal roles. With its massive success, Pushpa 2: The Rule has firmly established itself as one of the biggest hits of 2024, and fans are eagerly awaiting the extended version for an even greater cinematic experience.

Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic voice takes center stage in Mufasa: The Lion King, elevating this animated prequel to new heights. The film, which explores the origins of the beloved Lion King character, is a prequel to 2009’s The Lion King, and delivers a heartwarming tale of family, friendship, betrayal, and love. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the movie is a stunning visual feast, boasting groundbreaking animation and intricate details that bring the animal kingdom to life.

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In conclusion, Mufasa: The Lion King is a remarkable prequel that balances spectacular animation with a timeless story. With Shah Rukh Khan’s voice bringing life to the title character, it becomes an experience that Bollywood fans will not want to miss. The film is an improbable yet perfect union of Disney’s grandeur and Khan’s on-screen magic, making it a must-watch for fans of both.