Pushpa 2 stampede leaves boy brain-damaged in India's Hyderabad

Eight-year-old Sritej remains on ventilation as doctors battle to stabilise his critical neurological condition.

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An eight-year-old boy, Sritej, remains in critical condition after a stampede broke out during a screening of Pushpa 2 at a Theatre in Hyderabad, India, on 4 December.

The incident, triggered by the presence of Tollywood star Allu Arjun, resulted in the death of the boy’s mother, Mogudampalli Revathi, and left the child with severe brain damage.

Sritej was rushed to the Hospital after the stampede, where doctors placed him on mechanical ventilation.

According to Indian media a medical update issued on 17 December stated that while the child’s vital parameters are stable, his neurological condition remains static. A tracheostomy is being planned to facilitate prolonged ventilator support.

The chaos unfolded when Allu Arjun visited the theatre to observe audience reactions to his latest release, drawing an overwhelming crowd of fans.

In the ensuing stampede, Sritej and his mother were pulled from the lower balcony by on-duty police and rushed to a nearby hospital, where Revathi was declared dead.

The Hyderabad police acted swiftly, questioning Allu Arjun’s security team and the management of the theatre. Afew days ago the actor was arrested and named the 11th accused in the case.

He was granted interim bail the same day. Charges filed against him and the theatre management include negligence and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Sritej’s father, Bhaskar, shared that the family attended the premiere to fulfil the boy’s wish to see his idol. Bhaskar, who is recovering from a liver transplant, is now grappling with the loss of his wife and the financial burden of his son’s prolonged treatment.

Neighbours revealed that the boy was affectionately nicknamed "Pushpa" for mimicking Allu Arjun’s mannerisms after watching the first film in the series.

Tollywood producer Allu Aravind, the actor’s father, visited Sritej at the hospital and assured full support for his recovery. However, Allu Arjun refrained from visiting the child, citing legal advice amid ongoing proceedings.

“I remain deeply concerned about young Sritej, who is under constant medical care after the unfortunate incident. My prayers are with him, and I stand committed to addressing his medical and family needs,” the actor said in a social media post.

Medical experts at KIMS Hospital caution that Sritej faces a long and uncertain road to recovery due to the severity of his brain damage. The Telangana government has pledged ongoing support, with Health Secretary Dr Christina personally monitoring the case.