December 5, 2024 night: Pushpa 2:
The Rule starring Allu Arjun was disrupted during screening at Gaiety Galaxy Theatre in Mumbai. A person, whose identity was not known, sprayed an irritant believed to be pepper spray inside the cinema hall. The moviegoers panicked and many present in the theatre were reported to have coughing fits and throat irritation.
Video of the scene shows chaotic moments as audience members covered their faces and tried to leave the premises. “The movie has been stopped. Someone sprayed something, and everyone is coughing,” a man says in the clip that has gone viral.
Screening halted, police called in
Screening was stopped immediately and the local police were summoned for an investigation. Police arrived on the spot to examine the situation but no formal complaint or case has been filed till now. The authorities are looking at the nature of the substance sprayed and are trying to find the identity of the person.
Hyderabad Premiere Tragedy: Stampede Claims a Life
Summary of the Stampede
A day before the incident in Mumbai, a stampede occurred at the premier of Pushpa 2, which was held at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. Thousands had gathered to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun when he made an unannounced appearance. The sudden crowd surge led to chaos, resulting in the death of a 35-year-old woman. Her nine-year-old son was also admitted for asphyxiation but is said to be stable.
Legal Case Against Allu Arjun and Management of Theatre
Allu Arjun, his security staff, and the management of Sandhya Theatre have been charged under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 118(1) (causing hurt by dangerous means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after the stampede. Neither the actor nor the theatre management has responded to the legal developments as of yet.
Pushpa 2: The Rule
The sequel to the blockbuster Pushpa:
The Rise, directed by Sukumar, follows the protagonist Pushpa (played by Allu Arjun) in his rise from a laborer to a smuggling kingpin. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil, who reprise their roles as Pushpa’s love interest and nemesis, respectively.
