Hyderabad: Telugu superstar Allu Arjun was released from Chanchalguda prison in Hyderabad early Saturday after spending a tense night behind bars, despite being granted interim bail by Telangana high court in connection with a stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the premiere of his film Pushpa 2 - The Rule on December 4.

The movie hall drew a massive crowd to see the actor, leading to chaos and the death of 37-year-old Revathi and critical injuries to her son. The stampede sparked widespread public outrage and raised questions about safety protocols at large public events. Arjun was arrested Friday along with three others in connection with the overcrowding at the theatre and the subsequent stampede. Two other accused were also granted interim bail.

While HC granted interim bail for four weeks late Friday night, jail authorities delayed his release, citing procedural norms. "The court's order reached the prison almost at midnight. However, it is the established practice in all state jails to release prisoners the same day only if the bail order is received before 8 pm. Any order received after 8 pm is processed the next morning at 5 am," said a prison official. 

His lawyer said: "We will pursue legal action against this illegal detention." Prison officials said they would provide an explanation if the court sought one. Arjun exited the jail through the rear gate to avoid the crowds of fans gathered at the main entrance. Jail sources said Arjun was treated like any other inmate during his detention. He shared accommodation with two other accused, ate regular prison food, and made no special demands.

Arjun said: "It is unfortunate that a woman lost her life. I will personally support the family." Telangana Congress chief Mahesh Kumar Goud defended the police action and dismissed claims of favouritism, despite Arjun's family connection to CM Revanth Reddy. "Everyone is equal before the law," he said.

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Allu Arjun addressed the media at his residence in Hyderabad on Saturday, after his release from prison in connection with the death of a fan at the premiere of his film, Pushpa 2 - The Rule on December 4. He thanked everyone for their love and support and said, “We are extremely sorry for the family (of the deceased). We will be there to support them. It was purely accidental. My love and sympathies are with them. I was inside a theatre watching a movie with my family and the accident happened outside. It’s of no direct connection to me, purely accidental and unintentional. I have been going to the same theatre for the last 20 years and have been there more than 30 times but never has an accident like this happened.”

Prominent figures from the South film industry came to meet Arjun at his residence. The visitors included actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Naga Chaitanya, producer Dil Raju, and director Koratala Siva. Actors Rashmika Mandanna, Nani and others took to social media to express support.

In a press release, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Zone, Hyderabad City, talked about a letter, circulating in the media, requesting “bandobast” for the event on December 4. The police said that it is beyond their resources to provide “bandobast for every event”.

They also claimed that the crowd was well in control till Arjun arrived: “He came out from the sunroof of his vehicle and started waving to the public. This attracted a lot of the public towards the theatre’s main gate. At the same time, his private security started pushing people (away) to make way for his vehicle. His team was intimated to take him back citing a large public gathering, but they didn’t...It is clear that adequate police bandobast was in place, it was his actions which led to this unfortunate incident.”

The police also denied misbehaving with Arjun at the time of his arrest:“...He requested some time to change his clothes. He went inside his bedroom; the police personnel waited outside.”

In a statement to PTI, Arjun’s lawyer Ashok Reddy said that his client’s detention was “illegal” and they would “take legal steps”.

Arjun, who was arrested on Friday afternoon, secured interim bail from the Telangana High Court the same evening, but the jail authorities did not release him until yesterday morning.

Arjun’s wife, Allu Sneha Reddy, had an emotional reunion with him as he returned home after spending a night at the Chanchalguda jail. In a video circulating on social media, she was seen waiting outside for Arjun with their children (son and daughter). When he reached near, Sneha gave him a tight hug and got emotional.

At the premiere of Pushpa 2 - The Rule at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre on December 4, a stampede-like situation arose after the actor’s arrival. While a 35-year-old woman died in the incident, her nine-year-old son is in a critical condition. Arjun was named as an accused in the FIR filed by the deceased’s husband.