Allu Arjun and director Sukumar’s combination, Pushpa: The Rise, created a sensation when released three years ago. Allu Arjun won a National Award for his performance in the first part and there has been much curiosity about this second installment. Now, the sequel to this film, Pushpa 2: The Rule, has hit the screens. Beyond this, Allu Arjun extensively promoted the film in many parts of the country, including Patna. Expectations for this film are immense, as it is the only one to release without any competition. Trade analysts are predicting huge box-office collections for this film. But will it live up to expectations? Here is our review.
Story:
Pushpa Raj (Allu Arjun) is enjoying his married life and preparing to meet the chief minister. Before that, his wife Srivalli requests a photo of him with the chief minister, which she wants to see. However, the chief minister, while accepting funds from Pushpa, refuses to take a photograph with him because he is a smuggler. Hurt by this, Pushpa announces that he will make his friend Siddhappa (Rao Ramesh) the next chief minister. To achieve this, he needs to arrange Rs 500 crores through smuggling red sanders. Meanwhile, police officer Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil), who was humiliated by Pushpa earlier, seeks revenge and tries to stop the smuggling. Simultaneously, Pushpa faces a family crisis that he must address. How Pushpa smuggles the red sanders, saves his family and handles the challenges forms the crux of the story.
Analysis:
The second part picks up where the first part ends. However, Sukumar begins this installment with a grand action sequence set in Japan, which, by the end of the film, feels unnecessary and forced. The focus then shifts to Pushpa, his wife Srivalli, and their married life. After the chief minister refuses to take a photograph with Pushpa, he decides to make his friend the chief minister.
In this second part, Sukumar intertwines Pushpa’s story as a ruthless smuggler with his emotional side as a family man. Once he resolves to make his friend the CM, Pushpa begins smuggling vast quantities of red sanders. Shekhawat, determined to thwart him, engages in a cat-and-mouse game with Pushpa throughout the first half. While Sukumar makes these scenes engaging, they come across as overly cinematic with heavy use of graphics.
The first half of the film could have been trimmed as the director stretches many scenes unnecessarily. The lorry episode, where Pushpa smuggles the rend sanders while Shekhawat tries to stop him, is a lengthy and drawn-out sequence. However, there are standout moments, such as Pushpa apologising to Shekhawat and the chief minister episode.
The second half focuses more on Pushpa’s family affairs, particularly involving his cousin’s daughter. The Gangamma Jatha episode is a definite highlight of the film, lasting nearly half an hour and showcasing Sukumar’s finest craftsmanship.
A significant drawback is the forced extension of the story. The kidnap drama and subsequent action scenes feel lagging and unnecessary. While Pushpa achieves his goal of making his friend the CM, the storyline around Siddhappa meeting a central minister in Delhi is left unresolved until much later in the film. This lack of continuity, coupled with numerous overly cinematic scenes, makes the film feel unnecessarily long.
Performances:
Allu Arjun delivers a stellar performance, carrying forward his excellence from the first part. He particularly shines in the Jathara episode, with his dance and emotional range standing out. His portrayal of Pushpa is undoubtedly a memorable one. Rashmika Mandanna also performs well, excelling in two specific scenes—one after the Jathara episode and another at her house. She looks glamorous in a song sequence.
Fahadh Faasil, a proven actor, once again showcases his talent and serves as a strong pillar for the film. Rao Ramesh impresses as Siddhappa, while Brahmaji is consistent throughout the film. Jagapathi Babu, Anasuya, Sunil and Ajay reprise their roles, with Ajay getting an important scene only in the climax. Pavani Karanam plays Pushpa’s niece and Jagadeesh Pratap reprises his role as Pushpa’s friend Keshava. Sreeleela appears in a special song.
Technical Aspects:
Miroslaw Kuba Brozek’s cinematography is excellent, with visually stunning moments, especially during the Jathara episode. Devi Sri Prasad’s music is good, though not as impactful as the first part. The background score is effective, but the special song fails to match the energy of its predecessor. The dialogues are impressive, with every character speaking in the Chittoor accent. While the producers have spared no expense, some of Allu Arjun’s dialogues suffer from dubbing issues.
Verdict:
Pushpa 2: The Rule relies heavily on Allu Arjun’s outstanding performance, particularly in the second half. However, the film is weighed down by dragged-out scenes in both halves and an overly graphic, illogical climax. The film’s fate will depend on how audiences respond to its three-hour and twenty-minute runtime.
Actors: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil,
Rao Ramesh, Jagapathi Babu, Anasuya, Sunil, Jagadeesh Pratap, Brahmaji, Sreeleela, Pavani Karanam and others
Cinematography:
Miroslaw Kuba Brozek
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Producers: Naveen Yerneni, Yelamanchili Ravi Shankar
Story, Screenplay, Director: Sukumar
Rating: 2.5/5
Pushpa 2 makers ‘heartbroken’
The much-anticipated release of Pushpa 2: The Rule took a tragic turn in Hyderabad as frenzied celebrations at the Sandhya 70mm Theatre led to a deadly stampede. Superstar Allu Arjun’s surprise visit to the venue brought thousands of fans to RTC Cross Roads, causing chaos that claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman, Revathi and left her nine-year-old son critically injured.
Revathi, a resident of Dilsukhnagar, had come to the screening with her husband Bhaskar and two children, Tej and Sanvi. Amid the surging crowd, the family was pushed near the theatre’s entrance. While Bhaskar and Sanvi escaped with minor injuries, Revathi and Tej were trampled in the chaos. Revathi was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries, while her son reains under medical observation.
Police resorted to lathi-charge to control the unruly crowd, but the damage had been done. Mythri Movie Makers, the producers of Pushpa 2, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, pledging their support to the grieving family and the injured child. The statement by the makers read, “We are extremely heartbroken by the tragic incident during last night’s screening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the young child undergoing medical treatment. We are committed to standing by them and extending all possible support during this difficult time. With deep sorrow, Mythri Movie Makers.”
Despite the tragedy, Pushpa 2: The Rule continues to shatter box-office records, marking an explosive start for 2024. Directed by Sukumar and starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil, the film has already cemented its place as a blockbuster hit.
