Varun Dhawan defends Allu Arjun: 'You cannot blame just one person...'

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan has come forward in defence of Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, who was arrested following a tragic stampede at a Hyderabad theatre during the release of his latest movie, Pushpa 2: The Rule. The incident claimed the life of a 39-year-old woman and critically injured her 9-year-old son.

Speaking during the promotion of his upcoming movie Baby John, Varun addressed the controversy, emphasizing that it was unfair to hold a single individual entirely accountable for lapses in security. “An actor cannot take complete responsibility for the safety protocol. The tragedy that has happened is very heartbreaking, and I send my condolences to the family. But just one person cannot be blamed for it,” he said.

The stampede occurred on December 4 when Allu Arjun visited the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad to watch the first-day-first-show of Pushpa 2: The Rule with fans. The chaos that ensued led to tragic death and injuries, sparking debates on crowd management at high-profile events.

Following the incident, Allu Arjun announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the victim's family and assured financial support for medical expenses. Despite his gestures, the Hyderabad police arrested him on Friday, citing negligence in adhering to safety measures, and the court placed him under 14-day judicial custody.

Varun’s comments add to the growing discourse within the film fraternity, with actors like Nani earlier criticizing the authorities and media for targeting film stars. The incident has not only raised questions about the responsibilities of public figures but also highlighted the urgent need for stringent crowd management and safety protocols at public events.