Tollywood delegation seeks solutions after tragic Pushpa 2 stampede: What was discussed with CM?
Hyderabad: A delegation from the Telugu film industry met Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday to discuss issues impacting the sector. The meeting, held at the Police Command and Control Room in Banjara Hills, was led by Telangana State Film Development Corporation (FDC) chairman and renowned producer Dil Raju.
The meeting took place in the wake of a tragic stampede during the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule earlier this month, which claimed the life of a woman, Revathi, and critically injured her son. The delegation included prominent film industry figures such as Allu Arvind (father of actor Allu Arjun), actors Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, and Murali Mohan, as well as directors Raghavendra Rao, C. Kalyan, Trivikram, and others.
Also attending were Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Minister for Cinematography Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Home Secretary Ravi Gupta, and Director General of Police Jitender. Dil Raju clarified that the meeting was organised on behalf of the Film Development Corporation to address matters concerning the industry.
Chief Minister’s assurance and call for responsibility
Following the meeting, CM Revanth Reddy reassured the delegation that the government supports the Telugu film industry but made it clear that there would be no compromise on law and order. He also urged celebrities to take responsibility for controlling their fans and emphasised that the industry must act responsibly in such matters.
The stampede incident had already ignited political controversy, with CM Reddy previously blaming Allu Arjun for the tragedy, claiming that the police had denied permission for the event at Sandhya Theatre due to safety concerns. However, Allu Arjun dismissed the accusations as an attempt at "character assassination."
Earlier, tensions had also escalated when Telangana Minister K Surekha made controversial remarks linking BRS leader KTR to the divorce of Tollywood actors Samantha and Naga Chaitanya, sparking further political fallout.
Film industry concerns: stampede aftermath and ticket pricing
Dil Raju stated that the meeting would discuss a range of issues, including the aftermath of the stampede and the government's decision to ban benefit shows and raise cinema ticket prices. He assured that all key figures in the industry who were available would attend, serving as a bridge between the film industry and the government.
A day prior to the meeting, Allu Arjun, Mythri Movies, and director Sukumar made a generous donation of Rs 2 crore to Revathi’s family. Allu Arvind handed the cheque to Dil Raju, who committed to ensuring the money would be used to secure the future of Revathi’s critically injured son, who is still undergoing treatment.
With agency inputs