Sandhya 70MM Theatre Faces Police Scrutiny After Fatal Crowd Surge at “Pushpa 2” Premiere

HYDERABAD — A routine night at Sandhya 70MM Theatre turned tragic on December 4, 2024, as a chaotic crowd surge during the premiere of Pushpa 2 resulted in the death of a 35-year-old woman and left her 9-year-old son in urgent medical care. The Hyderabad City Police have issued a Show Cause Notice to the iconic theatre at RTC X Roads, citing severe lapses in crowd management and safety preparedness.

The notice, issued by the city’s Commissioner of Police, highlights a cascade of failures by the theatre management that led to the disaster. Among the key issues were the lack of notification to local police about the surprise appearance of the film’s stars—notably actor Allu Arjun—and insufficient security arrangements to handle the influx of fans.

The Night of the Incident

At approximately 9:40 PM on December 4, visit by Allu Arjun and the film’s lead actress drew massive crowds to the theatre, already packed for the much-anticipated Pushpa 2 premiere.

As the actor’s private security team attempted to escort him into the venue, the situation quickly spiraled. Throngs of fans pushed through the lower balcony gates, where a lack of security personnel, checks, and proper crowd control measures created dangerous overcrowding. Unauthorized entry and confusion compounded the chaos.

Smt. Mogudampalli Revathi, a resident of Dilsukhnagar, and her son Tej, 9, collapsed amid the surging crowd. Police personnel on duty, including Sub-Inspector L. Mounika and Constable Anjaneyulu, acted swiftly, administering CPR and transporting the victims to Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital. Tragically, Revathi was declared brought dead, while her son was transferred to KIMS Hospital for further treatment.

Systemic Lapses and Safety Failures

In their notice, authorities pointed to a series of critical oversights by Sandhya 70MM Theatre management:

1. Failure to inform the police of the actors’ arrival, despite anticipating a large turnout.
2. Inadequate deployment of security personnel, with only a single door-frame metal detector at entry points and no frisking arrangements for women.
3. Poor signage for entry and exit, leading to confusion during the stampede-like conditions.
4. Unauthorized flexes, trusses, and lighting installations that encouraged additional crowding.
5. Damaged infrastructure, including a lower balcony gate that failed under crowd pressure.
6. Absence of a ticket verification system, allowing unauthorized entry and overcrowding.
7. Inadequate parking and gate management, exacerbating congestion outside the venue.
8. Use of private security personnel to block public passages, worsening the chaos.

The incident has been registered as a case under Cr.No. 376/2024 at Chikkadpally Police Station, invoking sections 105 and 118(1) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act (BNS).

Police Directive

In the wake of the tragedy, the Commissioner of Police issued a firm directive to Smt. Renuka Devi, the licensee of Sandhya 70MM Theatre. She has been ordered to explain why the theatre’s Cinematograph Licence under Form-B should not be revoked for failing to ensure public safety.

The theatre management has been given 10 days to respond to the Show Cause Notice.

Public Outcry and Safety Concerns

The incident has sparked outrage across Hyderabad, with citizens and filmgoers calling for stricter safety protocols at public venues, particularly during high-profile movie premieres. The loss of Revathi’s life has brought renewed attention to the responsibilities of theatre operators in safeguarding patrons.

Speaking to the media, a senior police official underscored the need for better coordination between theatres, event organizers, and law enforcement during major film events.

“This was a preventable tragedy,” the official said. “Failure to notify the police, lack of security, and poor infrastructure all contributed to this unfortunate incident.”

As investigations proceed, the focus remains on accountability—and on ensuring such lapses do not cost more lives in the future.