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The recent controversy surrounding Allu Arjun's presence at the premiere of his movie Pushpa 2 in Hyderabad has taken a sharp turn with the actor himself vehemently refuting allegations made against him by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi. The accusations, leveled in the assembly, painted Arjun as disregarding police orders and contributing to a tragic incident where a woman died from suffocation amidst a large crowd gathered outside the Sandhya Theatre. Arjun, visibly emotional during a hastily arranged press conference, characterized the accusations as a deliberate campaign of character assassination, aimed at damaging his hard-earned reputation. He stressed that the events were an 'accident' and that no single party was solely responsible for the unfortunate outcome.
Central to Arjun's defense is his denial of ever being asked by police to leave the theatre. He stated that his management team, noticing the overwhelming crowd, advised him to depart to help restore order. He emphasizes that this decision was taken solely to manage the crowd and ensure the safety of his family, who remained inside to enjoy the movie. He explicitly stated that he was completely unaware of the tragic incident involving Revathi's death until the following morning. This lack of immediate knowledge, he argues, directly contradicts the accusations suggesting he was indifferent to the consequences of his actions. The timeline presented by Arjun paints a picture significantly different from the narrative presented by the CM and the police.
Another key point of contention is the allegation that Arjun arrived at the theatre leading a procession. Arjun vehemently denied this claim, explaining that the police were actually facilitating his vehicle’s passage through the dense crowd. He described the situation as typical for actors and prominent figures, where clearing a path often necessitates a brief interaction with the crowd to facilitate smooth movement. He asserts his actions were routine crowd management, not a deliberate breach of protocol. The discrepancy between the official narrative and Arjun's account highlights a critical difference in perspective concerning the events of that night.
The accusations extend beyond the events at the theatre itself. Arjun also addressed criticisms concerning his failure to visit the ailing boy, the son of the deceased woman. He explained that his intentions to visit the family were thwarted by legal counsel, advising against direct contact due to a formal complaint filed against him. This explanation attempts to counter the perception of indifference to the victims' suffering. The actor's legal team advised against any direct contact with the family at this time to prevent possible legal implications, suggesting his reluctance to visit wasn't due to a lack of empathy, but a cautious adherence to advice from legal counsel. This aspect of the controversy highlights the complexities of the situation and underscores the challenges faced by public figures in navigating such delicate circumstances.
Arjun's press conference served as a forceful counter-narrative to the official account of events. By directly addressing each accusation, and by providing context and detail, he aimed to repair the damage to his public image. The emotional tone of his statements, combined with his detailed explanations, aimed to convey his genuine remorse regarding the tragic events and to distance himself from the accusations of negligence or defiance. The ongoing investigation and the potential for further legal ramifications remain significant aspects of this unfolding story. The contrasting narratives presented by both sides underscore the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the precise sequence of events and to assign responsibility accordingly. The public’s perception of the situation and its impact on Arjun's career will likely continue to evolve as the situation unfolds and further evidence is made available.
Source: Arjun refutes allegations, says cops didn’t ask him to leave theatre