New Delhi, Nov 17: Telugu star Allu Arjun, who launched the trailer of his upcoming film "Pushpa 2: The Rule" in Patna on Sunday, expressed gratitude to fans for showering their love on him by turning up in huge numbers for the event.

"Pushpa 2" is directed by Sukumar and also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil.

The trailer of the much-awaited sequel to 2021's "Pushpa: The Rise" was unveiled at the jam-packed Gandhi Maidan in the Bihar capital. Also present at the event was Rashmika, who plays Srivalli to Arjun's gangster Pushpa Raj.

It was Arjun's first visit to Bihar.

"I am grateful to all of you for your love and warm welcome," he said at the event.

"Pushpa kabhi jhukega nahin, lekin aaj pehli baar, aapke pyaar ke liye jhukega (Pushpa will never bow down in front of anyone, but for the first time, he will bow down only for your love)" the National Award winner said in reference to his popular dialogue from the 2021 original film.

"Thank you Patna, you have given me a lot of love," Arjun said as he asked the audience to forgive him for his "thoda galat" (poor) Hindi speaking skills.

A stampede-like situation erupted at the venue before the trailer launch began following which police resorted to a mild lathicharge to control the crowd.

Videos of a section of spectators from the same event hurling slippers towards the stage also started circulating on social media on Sunday evening.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings with music on T-Series, "Pushpa 2" will be released on December 5.

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Mumbai, Nov 17: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday alleged that the NITI Aayog's blueprint to develop the metropolitan region was a ploy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra by undermining the BMC's importance.

If voted to power, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will scrap the MoU signed between the World Economic Forum (WEF) and MMRDA as it is aimed at diminishing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's importance, he said.

Addressing a rally at the BKC ground in Mumbai on the penultimate day before the campaigning for the assembly elections concluded, Thackeray said he wouldn't hesitate to disband the MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) if it encroaches on the BMC's jurisdiction.

"A conspiracy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra is not just a loose talk but an impending serious crisis. The ploy is real but we will never allow this to happen," he said.

Thackeray said the MMRDA and WEF signed an agreement in September to develop MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) as a global economic hub which was signed after Niti Aayog's report on MMR development.

"The Niti Aayog's blueprint diminishes the importance of the Mumbai civic body which is a ploy to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra," he alleged.

Thackeray said the first decision of the MVA government will be to scrap policies of the (Mahayuti) government which handed over Mumbai's land to the Adani group.

The former chief minister said he was "not anti-development but is anti-destruction".

Thackeray claimed the MVA government headed by him was toppled (in June 2022) and Shiv Sena split because he had not allowed the looting of Maharashtra.

In an apparent reference to the Shiv Sena MLAs' disqualification case in the Supreme Court, saying, "The courts haven't given me justice. I seek justice from you for the sake of Maharashtra".

Thackeray said the BJP had to construct the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who had banned RSS, in Gujarat and seek votes in Maharashtra in Balasaheb Thackeray's name, which he said was "revenge of time".

Attacking PM Narendra Modi over the "Ek hai to Safe Hai" slogan, Thackeray said if people feel unsafe while Modi is at the helm then he should resign.

"Only corrupt and traitors feel safe when Modi is around," he alleged.

Thackeray said Maharashtra was facing a grave crisis as "airports, ports, electricity, mines, and schools are being handed over to Adani".

Urging people to support the MVA, Thackeray said Maharashtra will be destroyed if the Mahayuti returns to power.

Thackeray recalled Shiv Sena's support for the abrogation of Article 370 and Bal Thackeray sheltering Kashmiri pandits fleeing persecution.

"Amit Shah and Narendra Modi weren't known to the world at that time," he said.

Targeting the BJP over its poll campaign, he said the scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir doesn't impact Minimum Support Price, unemployment, and women's security in Maharashtra.

He said people of Gujarat should realise that Modi and Amit Shah have created a barrier between the western state and the rest of the country.

"How can they move projects from Maharashtra to Gujarat? You should stop them," he added.