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Journalism of Courage
In his latest blockbuster Pushpa 2: The Rule, Allu Arjun’s character ensures a regime change over a slight to him by the sitting chief minister. In the past few days, a version of the script has been playing out in real life in Telangana, as the Telugu star finds himself in an unexpected standoff with Congress CM Revanth Reddy.
The death of a 35-year-old woman in a stampede at a show of Arjun’s Pushpa 2 in Hyderabad on December 4, which was attended by him, has so far seen the actor’s arrest on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and for voluntarily causing hurt (he is out on bail); Assembly attacks by the Congress and AIMIM against the star; accusations against him of callousness; press conference by him claiming attempts at “character assassination”, and finally, on Sunday, vandalism at his Hyderabad residence.
In a film industry where stars are revered, and where many have cashed in on the same for political power, this open antagonism comes as a surprise. While sources close to the CM say Revanth is in mood to step back, with his government projecting the incident as an example of how it treats everyone equally, in an Instagram post Sunday, Arjun struck a conciliatory note.
Asking his fans to “express their feelings responsibly”, and “not resort to any abusive language or behaviour”, Arjun said he would take “strict action against” those who do so.
The woman is said to have died as the crowds swelled at the theatre in the hope of catching a glimpse of Arjun. Her nine-year-old son who was with her is in a critical condition. The Revanth government contends that they had no prior intimation of the star’s presence at the theatre, and hence could not make the security arrangements. However, it has also claimed that the police told Arjun to leave the premises. The actor has said the police had been kept informed.
A source close to Revanth said: “The CM had made it clear that the law would take its own course after Allu Arjun was named in the FIR (related to the woman’s death). But when the police arrested Arjun, the CM faced attacks. The remarks made it appear as if the actor was being unfairly targeted.”
The CM’s aides say that “the visuals of popular actors of the Telugu film industry meeting Arjun after his bail, as if he was the victim” further conveyed that impression. By “speaking up for the victim’s family”, Revanth wants to show that he, in contrast, stands for the disadvantaged, said a supporter. “There was only one question before the CM: should he support a star-actor who has been accused or should he stand up for the deceased family?”
A source close to Revanth claimed the CM’s stand had “drawn widespread support from the people”.
Revanth’s supporters even draw a parallel with other measures taken by the CM “in the face of intense criticism”, such as an ongoing demolition drive as part of which properties of the rich and powerful have also been targeted.
A Congress leader said they had “standing instructions from the CM to defend the deceased woman and her family, despite political pressure”. A source said the CM is clear that “one of the most powerful families in the Telugu film industry” is not above the law.
Another source claimed the CM and several ministers wanted to underline the star’s “apathy”, even as the state government was bearing the entire medical costs of the injured boy. Arjun has offered the family Rs 25 lakh, while Mythri Movies, the makers of Pushpa 2, have given Rs 50 lakh. Arjun has also said he is committed to supporting the family, and was advised not to go to the hospital to meet them as it would lead to fans crowding the place.
On December 21, Revanth claimed in the Telangana Assembly that the actor had refused to leave the Sandhya Theatre even after the police told him of the woman’s death. “There is only one entry and exit (to the theatre). In spite of being informed not to go to the theatre, the hero went there. Not only did he go there, he came out from the sunroof of his vehicle and started waving to the thousands of fans gathered while 50-60 bouncers of his private security team pushed them. Amidst the commotion, the police found the lifeless body of the mother,” the CM said.
At a press conference held later that day, Arjun said he left the theatre “as soon as he came to know about the problem outside”. “Only the next morning did I come to know that a woman had died and her son was critically injured… I am not blaming anyone, either the police or government… This is a very unfortunate incident, which should not have happened.”
Others see a “political message” by Revanth – whose short government has been accused of “autocratic” police action – that goes deeper than optics. Arjun is the son of renowned producer Allu Aravind, whose sister Surekha is married to Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi. Chiranjeevi’s brother Pawan Kalyan, himself a noted film personality, is an ally of the BJP and the Deputy CM of Andhra Pradesh.
Following Arjun’s arrest in the case, one of the first Opposition leaders to criticise the CM was BRS working president K T Rama Rao, who is currently under probe in a corruption case lodged by the Revanth government. KTR, as the BRS leader is called, said Arjun’s arrest showed “the height of insecurity” on Revanth’s part. BJP ministers have called the attacks on Arjun an example of the Congress “targeting” the Telugu film industry.
On Sunday evening, after six people damaged flower pots and threw tomatoes at Arjun’s residence, BJP MP D K Aruna claimed that four of them were from Kodangal, Revanth’s Assembly constituency.
On Monday, indicating that this story will continue, police served Arjun a notice, asking him to appear at Chikkadpally Police Station in Hyderabad the next day. According to officials, Arjun has said he will cooperate with the investigation.
