‘Pushpa 2’ team removes song amid stampede controversy

The creators of “Pushpa 2” have taken down the song “Dammunte Pattukora” from the T-Series YouTube channel following an ongoing controversy linked to Telugu star Allu Arjun.

This decision comes in the wake of a tragic stampede at the Sandhya Theatre during the film’s premiere, which resulted in the death of a woman and left her son critically injured.

Actor Allu Arjun, who was arrested in connection with the incident, has since been released on bail. He has expressed his full support to the victim’s family. The superstar has also criticised comments made by politicians regarding the incident, labelling them as attempts to tarnish his reputation.

The song, released on December 24, featured Allu Arjun’s character, Pushpa, challenging police officer Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, played by Fahadh Faasil, with a defiant message to “catch him if he has the courage”.

However, a large portion of Indian netizens criticised the song, interpreting it as a provocative dig at law enforcement. This backlash prompted the “Pushpa 2” team to remove the track from YouTube.

Despite the controversy, “Pushpa 2” remains a box-office sensation. The film has surpassed the Rs 1,000 crore mark, cementing its position as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2024.

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