'Pushpa 2’ premiere stampede: Is Hyderabad ready for such big-ticket events?

Hyderabad: Stampede during the premiere of Allu Arjun’s `Pushpa 2: The Rule’ has raised serious concerns over the management of big-ticket events in the city.

On Wednesday night, a stampede at Sandhya Theatre, RTC Crossroads, claimed one life and few others injured. The incident has reignited concerns over the safety and management of such events in the city.

What Happened at Sandhya Theatre?

The tragedy unfolded at approximately 10:30 PM when crowds swarmed the theatre to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun. Chaos reigned when the actor arrived. People pushed each other to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun.

Revathi, a 39-year-old resident of Dilsukhnagar, arrived at the premiere with her husband Bhaskar and their children, Tej (9) and Sanvi (7). Amid the chaos, Revathi and her son Tej reportedly fell unconscious due to the suffocating conditions.

Despite the chaos and the fatal incident, the cinema screening continued, with several actors and their families watching the film.

Revathi and Tej were rushed to Durgabhai Deshmukh Hospital, where Revathi was pronounced dead. Her son Tej is currently undergoing treatment.

Inspector B. Raju Naik from Chikkadpally Police Station, speaking to Newsmeter, said, “The crowd surged uncontrollably after Allu Arjun’s arrival. The sheer volume of people created suffocating conditions at the entrance. Despite our deployment, the situation escalated too quickly. We are investigating lapses in crowd management to ensure accountability.”

Medical Update from KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad

The 8-year-old child was brought to the ER in a semi-conscious state. Prior to arrival, CPR was administered by police personnel and bystanders. Upon presentation, the child exhibited low oxygen saturation and irregular breathing, necessitating immediate intubation and ventilation.

A CT scan of the brain and spine was performed, revealing no significant abnormalities. Although lactic acidosis has improved, the child’s sensorium remains impaired. The condition is still critical, and the patient is currently under intensive care with continuous monitoring as the medical team works to stabilize him.

The child’s critical condition is believed to be a result of prolonged unresponsiveness, likely causing severe hypoxia and potential lung injury from aspiration or contusions. Prompt CPR provided by bystanders and the police was instrumental in reviving the child, enabling further medical intervention.

Why Did the Crowd Feel Suffocated?

According to officials, the venue’s design was a significant factor in the tragedy. The narrow entrance and lack of proper ventilation worsened the situation as fans piled into confined spaces.

“There were no arrangements by the theatre management or prior information about the arrival of the actor and other members of the film,” police said.

“The theater is not equipped to handle such large gatherings, especially with the number of fans trying to push their way in. People were pressed against each other, which led to panic and suffocation,” explained Naik.

Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that a heavy crowd surged ahead, and Revathi and Tej, who were trying to enter the theatre, suffocated and fell unconscious after being pushed by the crowd.

“The gate collapsed, trapping people in the crowd. It felt like there was no air to breathe,” added Naik.

Public Criticism and Accountability

The tragic loss of life has sparked widespread outrage online, with many questioning the wisdom of organizing such events in venues ill-equipped for massive turnouts.

One user wrote, “Why allow such premieres in venues like this? The authorities should have learned from past incidents like the IPL stampede in Secunderabad. How many more lives need to be lost before proper safety measures are enforced?”

Another remarked, “This is a failure on all fronts—organizers, authorities, and even the theater management. Families came with children to enjoy a movie, not to face such horrifying consequences.”

Fans also expressed disappointment over Allu Arjun’s presence. A viral video showed the actor waving to fans from his sunroof as police tried to manage the crowd. “Instead of addressing the situation, this feels tone-deaf. The focus should have been on ensuring safety,” commented a social media user.

Recurrent Issues in Hyderabad Events

This is not the first time a high-profile event in Hyderabad has ended in disaster. Earlier this year, Devara’s pre-release event at HICC saw fans vandalizing property, forcing organizers to cancel the event mid-way. The IPL ticket sale stampede in Secunderabad also highlighted the lack of crowd control and safety protocols at large gatherings.

A senior police official pointed out that the theatre was too small to accommodate the massive crowd that gathered, adding to the tragedy.

“The pattern is clear: there is no proper planning for large-scale events in Hyderabad. We need stricter regulations for crowd management and accountability for organizers,” said another user.

What Needs to Change?

“Venues must ensure sufficient exits, crowd control barriers, and emergency medical teams on standby. Authorities are also urged to limit the number of attendees based on venue capacity,” said Nithish Thakur, Hyderabad event manager for Red Velvet Events.

“The organizers should have anticipated the huge fan turnout for Pushpa 2. Better planning, like advance ticket distribution or crowd stagger measures, could have prevented this tragedy,” Thakur added.

Condolences and Next Steps

While the Pushpa 2 team has yet to issue an official statement, the police have confirmed that an investigation is underway to identify lapses in crowd management and venue preparedness.

Authorities have also announced plans to implement stricter guidelines for future movie premieres and large-scale public events in Hyderabad to ensure safety. Initial reports suggest that organizers may face legal action for negligence in handling the event.

The city mourns the loss of Revathi and Tej, with questions lingering about whether better planning could have prevented the tragedy. Families of the deceased are demanding accountability and justice, as pressure mounts on event organizers and authorities to take responsibility for the mishap.

For now, Hyderabad’s entertainment industry is under scrutiny, with many urging a collective effort to prioritize safety over fanfare at high-profile events. Further updates on the investigation are awaited.