Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, recently embroiled in controversy over the tragic stampede during a screening of his film Pushpa 2, has addressed concerns over the health of a young boy injured in the incident. The stampede occurred on December 4 at a Hyderabad theatre, claiming the life of the boy’s mother and leaving the child, Sri Tej, in critical condition. Following the incident, the actor faced backlash for his apparent “celebrations” after securing bail in the case.
On Sunday, Allu Arjun took to Instagram to express his anguish and commitment to the young victim’s recovery. “I remain deeply concerned about young Sri Tej, who is under constant medical care after the unfortunate incident. Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, I have been advised not to visit him and his family at this time,” the actor wrote. He extended prayers for the boy’s speedy recovery and vowed to address the family’s medical and financial needs.
The stampede occurred when Allu Arjun made an unscheduled visit to the theatre during a screening of Pushpa 2. Chaos erupted among the crowd as fans surged forward to catch a glimpse of the actor. A woman tragically lost her life, while her son, Sri Tej, sustained critical injuries. According to the private hospital treating him, the boy remains in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on ventilatory support. The hospital described his condition as “hemodynamically stable” but noted he has intermittent fever, altered sensorium, and dystonic movements.
The Hyderabad police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management following a complaint by the boy’s father. Authorities stated that neither the actor’s team nor the theatre had notified them of Arjun’s visit, which violated safety protocols and led to the deadly chaos.
On Saturday, Allu Arjun was granted a four-week bail after spending a night in jail. However, he faced severe criticism online after photos emerged of him smiling and meeting friends and celebrities, including Naga Chaitanya, Rana Daggubati, and Vijay Deverakonda, at his Jubilee Hills residence. Many accused him of being insensitive to the victims’ plight.
In his Instagram post, Arjun addressed the criticism indirectly, emphasizing his focus on the welfare of the victims. He pledged to take responsibility for their medical and family needs while expressing his hope to meet the boy when legally permitted.
As legal proceedings unfold, the tragic incident continues to raise questions about crowd management and accountability during celebrity events.
