‘Balika Vadhu’ actress Pratyusha Banerjee hangs herself to death

The recent stampede at Sandhya Theatre has thrust superstar Allu Arjun into the eye of a storm, shaking his otherwise stellar public image. Never in his wildest dreams would the “Pushpa” star have anticipated his visit to one of the grandest screenings to culminate in tragedy. Yet, as visuals of the harrowing stampede played during his intense three-hour questioning session yesterday, Allu Arjun reportedly broke down, visibly affected by the injuries sustained by Sritej and Revathi.

However, the emotional display is doing little to quell public outrage. Critics, particularly Congress leaders, have slammed the star for his alleged indifference in the immediate aftermath of the incident. They accuse him of failing to visit the victims or offer condolences in person—a decision Allu Arjun justified by stating that his legal team advised against it.

The star’s supporters, however, are rushing to his defense, citing his visible distress and heartbreak over the tragedy. But his earlier press meeting, which was meant to address the situation, has only further polarized opinions. While some view it as a sincere expression of remorse, others see it as a lackluster attempt to save face amidst growing criticism.

The incident has not only shaken the industry but also cast a shadow over Allu Arjun’s image as a man of the masses. As the Telugu film industry and government scramble to address the deeper issues surrounding ticket pricing and fan frenzy, the question remains—will this controversy tarnish Allu Arjun’s meteoric rise, or will it be another storm the “Icon Star” weathers with time?