The recent arrest and release of Allu Arjun in connection with the Sandhya Theatre stampede tragedy have sparked intense discussions across the Telugu states. BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao, who added fuel to the controversy, took a dig at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy by saying that he was exploiting the incident to settle personal scores.
KTR’s Claims
Speaking to party leaders, KTR alleged that Allu Arjun’s arrest was not merely about the tragic stampede but was influenced by a personal grudge. He referenced an incident where the actor reportedly forgot the Chief Minister’s name during a public speech, leading to an awkward moment.
“Allu Arjun stumbled while mentioning the CM’s name during his speech. This upset our ‘Chitti Naidu’ (a sarcastic jab at Revanth Reddy), who acted out of sheer ego and pushed for the arrest,” KTR stated, adding a political dimension to the unfolding drama.
The Official Narrative
On record, the arrest was tied to a stampede at Sandhya Theatre, which led to the unfortunate death of a woman named Revati. Hyderabad police have since initiated an investigation into the incident and issued show-cause notices to the theater’s management, citing negligence.
Political Undertones
KTR’s remarks suggest that the arrest may have been influenced by Revanth Reddy’s personal frustration rather than a purely legal motive. By framing the issue as a case of wounded pride, KTR attempted to divert public attention from the tragedy, pointing the finger at Revanth’s alleged misuse of power.
The Larger Picture
This controversy underscores how cinema and politics often intertwine in the Telugu states. Incidents involving film stars frequently become hotbeds of political posturing. As the investigation into the stampede continues, the focus appears to have shifted toward political rivalries, keeping the issue at the center of public and media discourse.