Veteran filmmaker Boney Kapoor has spoken out in support of Allu Arjun amid his legal troubles related to the tragic stampede that occurred during the screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule on December 4. The incident resulted in the death of 35-year-old Mogudampalli. There was a lot of backlash against the actor for seriously injuring Revathi and her son. Addressing the controversy, Boney Kapoor expressed his belief that Allu Arjun is being unfairly blamed for the tragedy, which he attributed to the unruly crowd’s behavior rather than the actor’s negligence.
In a discussion at the Galata Plus roundtable for filmmakers, Kapoor shared his perspective on the phenomenon, drawing inspiration from his experience in the industry. “For additional shows, ticket rates are increased for the first two days or at least on the first day,” he said. That is why this situation has arisen where Allu Arjun was unnecessarily dragged and held responsible for the death of a fan. It was only because of the crowd that had gathered to watch the film.
Kapoor highlighted the challenges posed by huge crowds at premieres and releases, and emphasized that the chaos was a result of heavy demand rather than any direct fault of the actor.
Allu Arjun has been charged with culpable homicide after the stampede at Sandhya Theater in Hyderabad during the premiere of Pushpa 2. The actor was arrested last month but was later granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court. The incident has also drawn criticism from the theater management for its alleged failure to ensure proper crowd control.
Boney Kapoor’s statement adds to the growing support for Allu Arjun within the industry, with many stressing the need for better crowd management at high-profile events. Kapoor’s comments infuriate fans and filmmakers alike, who argue that the responsibility for such incidents lies with event organizers and officials rather than the artistes involved.
The Pushpa 2 tragedy has triggered widespread conversations about the safety measures required at public events, especially those with superstars in attendance. As the film continues to dominate the box office, earning over Rs 1700 crore globally, this incident is a sobering reminder of the responsibilities associated with fanfare on such a large scale.
Despite the controversy, Pushpa 2: The Rule has achieved historic success at the global box office, breaking several records. Allu Arjun’s performance and the film’s entertaining story were widely praised, further cementing his status as one of India’s leading actors.
