NEW DELHI: A group of individuals, claiming affiliation with Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC), unlawfully entered Telugu actor Allu Arjun‘s Jubilee Hills residence and vandalised flower pots and other things on Sunday.
The intruders climbed over the property’s boundary wall and pelted tomatoes at the residence. They proceeded to enter the grounds and damaged ornamental plants whilst shouting slogans, creating a tense atmosphere.
Also read: ‘Character assassination’, says Allu Arjun on stampede row after CM Revanth Reddy’s criticism
The protesters raised slogans against the actor and sought justice to the woman who died in a stampede at a movie theatre here earlier this month on the occasion of screening of the actor’s latest film ‘Pushpa-2’.
Law enforcement officers subsequently arrived and detained the protesters.
Why people are so angry with Allu Arjun?
On December 4, the actor went to the Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre to attend the premiere of his movie Pushpa 2: The Rule. A massive crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the star. The situation escalated when Arjun waved to fans from the sunroof of his vehicle, leading to the tragic death of a woman named Revathi in the ensuing chaos.
Following the incident, Allu Arjun was arrested but released the next day after being granted bail by the Telangana High Court upon furnishing a Rs50,000 bond.
Telangana CM vs Allu Arjun
On Saturday, chief minister A Revanth Reddy expressed criticism towards the actor for attending the theatre despite police withholding permission for the film’s cast to visit the venue.
In response to AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi’s query in the Assembly, Reddy highlighted concerns about Allu Arjun’s interaction with large crowds, citing circulating videos as evidence.
According to Reddy, the theatre management had requested security arrangements on December 2 for prominent actors’ visits scheduled for December 4. The police declined the request, citing crowd management challenges and the venue’s limited access points.
Following Reddy’s criticism, Allu Arjun promptly organised a press conference to deny the accusations, stating that police officers facilitated his arrival at the venue.
The actor specifically contested claims about conducting a roadshow or engaging with crowds.
“Had there not been permission, they would have told us to return and I am a law-abiding citizen. I would’ve followed that. Nothing of that sort of information was given to me. I was following as per their guidance and it was not a roadshow. There was no procession. It was just a crowd a few meters away from the theatre,” he said, adding it was the police who were clearing the way for him and he reached the venue under their directions.
The chief minister asserted that the actor greeted fans through his car’s sunroof whilst entering and leaving the theatre, drawing thousands of enthusiastic supporters.
Reddy noted that the actor’s arrival attracted massive crowds due to multiple theatres in the vicinity.
Reddy reported that the situation became precarious when the actor’s security personnel pushed back fans, nearly causing a stampede.