Indian superstar Allu Arjun was arrested by police in Hyderabad on Friday in connection with a December 4 stampede that left a woman dead at the city’s Sandhya Theatre.

The incident took place during the actor’s impromptu appearance at a screening of his latest blockbuster ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’. The arrest came after authorities filed charges against the 42-year-old actor, his security guards and theater management, including charges of involuntary manslaughter other than murder.

According to police reports, the tragedy occurred when Arjun arrived at the venue at 9:30 pm without informing the local authorities beforehand. The actor’s presence at the main entrance triggered a rush from the crowd, with hundreds of fans rushing to catch a glimpse of the star. The situation escalated as security forces tried to control the gathering.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand had then said, “There was no intimation from the theater management or the cast team that they would visit the theatre.” He noted that despite prior knowledge of the visit, the venue did not provide separate entry and exit facilities had set up exit points.

The victim, Revathi, 35, and her nine-year-old son were caught in the crowd. They were rescued by police officers who provided emergency aid before transporting them to hospital. The child suffered injuries and was in critical condition.

After the incident, Arjun posted on X: “The tragic incident at Sandhya Theater breaks my heart deeply. My deepest condolences go out to the grieving family at this unimaginably difficult time. I want to reassure you that you are not alone in this pain and that you will meet the family in person. While I respect their need for space to grieve, I am committed to offering whatever support I can to help them navigate this challenging journey.”

The actor pledged INR 2.5 million (US$29,480) to the family of the deceased and pledged to cover the medical expenses of their injured son.

Meanwhile, “Pushpa 2: The Rule” is a box office phenomenon with a box office gross of $125.8 million within seven days of its release.