Director Sukumar, who entertained everyone with his latest blockbuster with Allu Arjun, ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’, said something that came as a shock to all. Speaking at the promotional event of ‘Game Changer’ in Dallas, Sukumar, the chief guest, was asked what he would take back from the event. His answer, “Cinema,” left everyone, including actor Ram Charan, stunned.
Ram Charan quickly took the microphone in an attempt to defuse the situation, humorously urging Sukumar to retract his statement and playfully brushing off the comment. Charan wasn’t about to let Sukumar speak about him in such a way, especially as the remark went viral, sparking mixed reactions from fans. While some dismissed Sukumar’s comment as light-hearted banter, others speculated it might be tied to ongoing buzz around ‘Pushpa 2’.
Tragedy struck on December 4 during the film’s premiere in Hyderabad when a stampede claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman, Revathi, and left her nine-year-old son, Sri Tej, critically injured. The situation escalated further when Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 on charges of negligence but was granted interim bail the following day. Despite the turmoil, ‘Pushpa 2’ remained a box office juggernaut, surpassing ₹1,500 crore in earnings. However, its success was overshadowed by the heartbreaking incidents surrounding its release. Legal cases were later filed against the Hyderabad theater and Allu Arjun, citing lapses that led to the tragedy.Following the incident, Allu Arjun faced a four-hour interrogation by Hyderabad police regarding alleged lapses in obtaining permissions for the film’s premiere. The actor pledged full cooperation with the investigation. In a gesture of support, producer Allu Aravind and Mythri Movie Makers announced a ₹2 crore compensation package for the injured boy’s family, including ₹1 crore from Allu Arjun, ₹50 lakh from director Sukumar, and ₹50 lakh from Mythri Movie Makers.
Amidst the controversies, Sukumar remains unshaken. With high-profile projects like ‘RC 17’ starring Ram Charan and ‘Pushpa 3: The Rampage’ with Allu Arjun in the pipeline, his career appears firmly on track. As he navigates the challenges tied to ‘Pushpa 2’, Sukumar’s future in cinema looks as promising as ever.
