In the wake of a tragic incident at the premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule, Congress has stepped in to quell rising tensions, asserting that neither Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy nor the state government holds any animosity towards the film industry or actor Allu Arjun.
The tragedy unfolded when a stampede broke out during the premiere, resulting in the death of 39-year-old Revathi and leaving her son critically injured. The government and Congress party have moved swiftly to resolve the situation, emphasizing their support for Telangana’s vibrant film industry. The producers of Pushpa 2 and Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy were seen at the hospital offering financial aid, with a cheque for Rs 50 lakh given to the bereaved family.
Congress Aims to End Controversy
On Monday, Congress made it clear that it wanted the controversy surrounding the Pushpa 2 premiere to end swiftly. Party leaders stated that there is no ill will between the government and the film industry, highlighting the government’s efforts to promote the sector in Telangana.
Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Congress vice president and MP, addressed the media in Gandhi Bhavan, explaining that the government does not wish to fuel the controversy. “The Congress party and the government want an amicable resolution to this. We do not want to escalate this matter further,” he stated.
The Congress’ intervention came after CM Revanth Reddy’s statement in the assembly regarding the tragic stampede, which had led to opposition leaders claiming that the government was targeting the film industry. The stampede occurred at a high-profile event and saw the tragic loss of life, with Revathi succumbing to injuries and her son critically hurt. While the opposition focused on criticizing the government’s handling of the situation, Congress leaders were keen to clear the air and distance the party from any negative rhetoric regarding the film industry.
Steps Taken by Producers and Ministers
In the aftermath of the incident, the producers of Pushpa 2 and the state’s cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy made a visit to the hospital where the injured son of Revathi was being treated. Along with their visit, they handed over a cheque for Rs 50 lakh to assist the family financially. This gesture was made to offer support during the challenging time, emphasizing the industry’s commitment to being socially responsible.
Notably, producer Dil Raju has been appointed as the chairman of the Telangana Film Development Corporation. With the appointment, Congress is hopeful that Dil Raju can play a pivotal role in smoothing over tensions between the film industry and the state government.
While Congress leaders continue to assert that the incident was not a fault of the government, they have made it clear that they do not want this tragedy to be used for political mileage. “This issue has been blown out of proportion by certain parties,” Kiran Kumar Reddy said, criticizing the opposition for exacerbating the situation. “The law will take its own course, but the Congress party and the government do not want to continue this controversy.”
Opposition and Media Backlash
The situation took a turn when actor Allu Arjun spoke to the media, responding to CM Reddy’s assembly remarks. This ignited further media attention, with the actor and his team attempting to clarify the sequence of events leading to the stampede. While Allu Arjun’s comments were not hostile, they seemed to amplify the tension between the Congress government and the film industry.
Kiran Kumar Reddy took aim at BJP leaders who had seized on the controversy. “The BJP leaders, including Purandeswari, Bandi Sanjay, and G Kishan Reddy, have used this situation to attack the Congress unnecessarily. The Congress government is clear in its stance – we do not want to escalate this,” he remarked.
Despite the political back-and-forth, the Congress has emphasized its focus on resolving the situation peacefully and working alongside the film industry to ensure that such incidents do not tarnish the relationship between the government and the entertainment sector.
Government’s Position: Focus on Industry’s Growth
Congress reiterated that the Telangana government remains committed to nurturing the local cinema industry. With the recent appointment of Dil Raju as chairman of the Telangana Film Development Corporation, it is clear that the state government views the film industry as a significant contributor to the local economy and culture.
The government’s position seems to be one of balancing safety concerns with industry growth. As the film industry continues to thrive in Telangana, officials hope that this tragic incident will be a learning moment, leading to better safety protocols at such high-profile events.
“The Congress government is determined to ensure that the film industry continues to flourish in Telangana,” Kiran Reddy concluded.
