An ear-biting incident, reportedly influenced by the movie Pushpa 2, has sparked a police investigation in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The altercation occurred on December 10 at Kajal Talkies in Phalka Bazar during a screening of the blockbuster sequel.
The dispute began over a food bill during intermission, escalating into violence when canteen staff members, identified as Raju, Chandan, and MA Khan, clashed with the victim, Shabbir Khan. In a shocking turn, one of the staff allegedly bit off part of Shabbir’s ear, causing severe bleeding. Shabbir was rushed to the hospital and received eight stitches following minor surgery.
The incident drew parallels to a scene in Pushpa 2, where Allu Arjun’s character, Pushpa, bites his adversaries to escape. Shabbir later expressed concerns about films like Pushpa 2 promoting gangster-like behavior, influencing viewers to imitate violent acts.
A complaint has been filed at the Inderganj Police Station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 294 (obscene acts), 323 (causing hurt), and 34 (common intention). Authorities have confirmed an active investigation into the matter.
Pushpa 2: Controversy Amidst Blockbuster Success
The incident adds to the growing controversies surrounding Pushpa 2, which has shattered box office records, grossing over $94.5 million globally during its extended opening weekend.
South Indian actor Siddharth Suryanarayan also faced backlash after comparing the massive crowd at the Pushpa 2 trailer launch in Patna to people gathering at a JCB digging site. His comments stirred anger among Allu Arjun’s fans.
Additionally, a tragic stampede during a screening in Hyderabad led to the death of a woman and left her son critically injured. Authorities have filed charges against Allu Arjun and his team for inadequate crowd control measures.
Despite its controversies, Pushpa 2 remains a cinematic phenomenon, but incidents like the Gwalior altercation and concerns over media influence highlight the challenges of balancing artistic expression with societal impact.