Telangana Congress politician Theenmar Mallanna has filed a police complaint against Telugu superstar Allu Arjun, claiming that his most recent movie, Pushpa 2: The Rise, insulted the police. The complaint, which was submitted to the Medipalli police station, also names the film's producers and director, Sukumar.
The scene where the main character, Allu Arjun, urinates in a swimming pool in front of a police officer is the focus of the issue. Mallanna has called the scene "disrespectful" and demeaning to law enforcement, as well as is calling for the creators to face harsh consequences.
This complaint comes after a significant controversy surrounding the film's December 4 debut in Hyderabad's Sandhya Theatre, when a mother was tragically killed in a stampede and her eight-year-old son was critically injured. According to police, Allu Arjun attended the gathering even though he was not granted authorisation, which led to his arrest. At the moment, he is free on bail. The actor has now received a new notice from the Telangana Police, requesting that he show up for interrogation on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Bhaskar, the woman's husband, has hinted that he would withdraw the actor's complaint.
The complaint has sparked debates over the limits of artistic expression, with fans of Allu Arjun rallying on social media under the hashtag #SupportPushpa2. Many argue that the film is a work of fiction and should not be subject to political scrutiny.
“Allu Arjun is an actor who breathes life into his roles. Targeting him for fictional scenes is unjust,” tweeted a fan.
On the other hand, legal experts have weighed in, stating that the matter could escalate if the police find prima facie evidence supporting the claims.
The makers of Pushpa 2 have yet to issue an official statement, but insiders suggest they are considering legal counsel to address the matter.
This is not the first time Allu Arjun or Pushpa has courted controversy. The first part also faced criticism for its portrayal of certain communities, though it went on to become a massive hit at the box office.