Hyderabad: The pre-release event of Thandel, starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, was held in Hyderabad on Sunday as part of the film’s promotional activities. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti and produced by Bunny Vasu under Geetha Arts, the film is set to release on February 7.
Initially, actor Allu Arjun was announced as the chief guest for the event, with an official poster confirming his attendance. However, he did not participate due to unforeseen circumstances. Following the recent stampede incident at Sandhya Theatre, a case was registered against him, leading to legal proceedings, including his brief arrest and subsequent bail. In light of these developments, Allu Arjun reportedly decided to refrain from attending public events for some time.
Concerned about the film’s promotional reach, producer Bunny Vasu is said to have convinced Allu Arjun to attend, even rescheduling the event. However, due to police restrictions, the event was shifted to an indoor venue with limited attendance, including media and the film’s cast and crew. While police granted permission for the gathering, reports suggest they advised Allu Arjun against participating.
Meanwhile, reports that the event would be held at Annapurna Studios led to a large crowd of fans gathering at the venue, despite the absence of police deployment. On the same day, a health bulletin was issued regarding Sriteja, a victim of the Sandhya Theatre stampede, stating that his condition remained critical. Given the prevailing circumstances, Allu Arjun ultimately skipped the event.
