Pawan Kalyan stated that the film industry should have demonstrated compassion

 Pawan Kalyan, Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister and a prominent figure in the Telugu film industry, recently addressed the tragic stampede that occurred during the premiere of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' on December 4, 2024. The incident resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman named Revathi and injuries to her eight-year-old son.

Kalyan criticized the film industry's delayed response, emphasizing that representatives should have promptly visited Revathi's family to offer condolences and support. He stated, "The film industry should have come together to support Revathi’s family and acknowledge the tragic mistake.

Defending his nephew, actor Allu Arjun, who was arrested following the incident, Kalyan argued that the responsibility for such events should not rest on a single individual. He noted that cinema is a collaborative effort and that decisions made during chaotic events are often situational. He said, "It is unfair to hold him solely responsible for the incident.

Kalyan also praised Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for his supportive policies towards the film industry, such as allowing ticket price increases that benefited films like 'Salaar' and 'Pushpa 2'. He clarified that Arjun's arrest was based on police actions following the incident and that it was not appropriate to blame the Chief Minister for it.

In summary, Pawan Kalyan called for greater compassion and collective responsibility within the film industry, urging timely support for victims' families in the aftermath of such tragedies.