"Misinformation, Character Assassination": Actor Allu Arjun On Stampede Row

The "allegations against me are humiliating", said Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, adding that a "lot of misinformation" is going around in the Hyderabad stampede case in which a woman died.

"A lot of misinformation is going around. I am not trying to blame anyone, any department or political leader...It is humiliating and feels like character assassination. Please don't judge me," said the superstar addressing reporters, adding that he remains "apologetic for what happened".

The actor's comment follows Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's claim that the superstar attended the premiere of his movie 'Pushpa 2' at Sandhya Theatre on December 4 even though police permission being denied. The actor's presence at the event caused a stampede-like situation, said the police, in which a 35-year-old woman died and her eight-year-old son was critically injured. 

Even after the death of the woman, the actor did not leave the cinema hall, prompting the police to force him out, the Chief Minister claimed.

"Permission was sought from the theatre management. The police cleared the way so I went in. I am a law-abiding citizen. I would have left if I were told that there is no permission," said the actor.

Before entering the theatre and exiting, the actor stood through the sunroof of his car and waved to the crowds leading to thousands of fans jostling to get a glimpse of him, said the Chief Minister.

"I did not conduct any roadshow. No policeman approached me to leave. My own manager told me that there is an uncontrollable crowd and asked me to leave," said the actor contradicting the Chief Minister.

Telangana MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi has also claimed that a famous actor, whom he did not name, when told that a woman died in a stampede during 'Pushpa 2' premiere said that the "film will now be a hit".

"I have a child of the same age, wouldn't I feel the pain. No one is to be blamed," said the national award-winning actor, who had to spend a night in jail after his arrest in the case earlier this month. He, however, secured a bail within 24 hours.