Woman killed, child injured in stampede during ‘Pushpa-2’ screening in Hyderabad-OxBig News Network

Massive crowds celebrating at a theater at RTC X road in Hyderabad on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. where the movie ‘Pushpa 2 starring Allu Arjun was released on Wednesday night.
| Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal

A 35-year-old woman died and her nine-year-old son sustained severe injuries in a stampede at Sandhya Theatre in Chikkadpally, Hyderabad, during the premiere show of the Allu Arjun movie ‘Pushpa-2’ .

The incident happened late on Wednesday when a huge crowd gathered for the 9.30 p.m. show. The boy has been shifted to a private hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

According to police sources, Allu Arjun and music director Devi Sri Prasad arrived at the theatre for the screening. “There was no information about their arrival until two hours before and hence no bandobast was organised. People in large numbers gathered to catch a glimpse of the actor while he was leaving the theatre, leading to the stampede,” an official from the Chikkadpally police said.

Meanwhile Chikkapadpally ACP L. Ramesh Kumar said that the people came out feeling suffocated in the theatre which was filled beyond its capacity. “No one helped them with CPR and the woman succumbed to asphyxiation,” he said. A case will be booked against the management.

The road leading to the theatre was seen covered with colourful paper confetti and slippers around midnight. Heavy police deployment could be seen across all theatres in the area to manage the crowd.