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Rating: 3/5
Allu Arjun is a name that has become a brand. Pushpa: The Rise made him pan-Indian, and this has mounted expectations for the sequel Pushpa 2: The Rule. More drama and explosive action are to be seen in the sequel with Sukumar at the helm of direction.
Does it live up to these promises? Or is this yet another one of the many cases of “sequel curses”? Let’s go out on red sands of amazing lines and gravity-defying heroism.
Summary with No Spoilers
It starts right from Pushpa: The Rise. Pushpa Raj, as Allu Arjun continues his reign as the mastermind behind the smuggling of red sandalwood. The film begins with a fantastic montage sequence in Japan and introduces the fact that Pushpa is all set for a world market.
Back home, Pushpa has his work cut out to deal with numerous enemies from Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) to the power-hungry Minister Prathap Reddy (Jagapathi Babu). Meanwhile, he is also shielding his family and dignity while managing to provide the whistle-worthy mass moments.
Key Highlights
A. Fiction and Screenplay If Pushpa: The Rise was a gritty underdog tale, Pushpa: The Rule is heavy on spectacle. It’s more about the telling of standout moments than in putting together a coherent story. While Pushpa’s power plays are entertaining, constant introduction of conflicts, whether kidnappings, family drama, or political betrayals, make the film feel all over the place.
Aside from that, the much-discussed Jaathara sequence, in which Pushpa is wearing a saree and performing a ritual, is a showstopper. It is essentially theatrical, beautiful to watch, and characteristic of Sukumar’s creative imagination.
B. Performances
- Allu Arjun: The heart and soul of this film. Be it the flexing of machismo muscles or the tears during some emotional scenes, Allu Arjun is irresistible on screen.
- Rashmika Mandanna: Earns her dues with a great monologue in the second half, that changes her character from her previous outings.
- Fahadh Faasil: While his psychotic interpretation come alive in Pushpa: The Rise, in this he feels half-written and bordering on caricature.
Direction
Double-edged is the sword of Sukumar’s direction. While he takes pride in churning out whistle-worthy moments, too much indulgence in fan service and lack of a tight narrative weaken the film.
Technical Aspects
A. Cinematography
The visuals are stunning. From the gruesome forests of Andhra Pradesh to the surreal Jaathara festival, the cinematography is a feast for the eyes.
B. Music and Background Score
Devi Sri Prasad delivers yet another chartbuster soundtrack, though some background scores feel excessive.
C. Editing
The film becomes bloated at 3 hours and 20 minutes. Tighter editing might have thinned out extraneous subplots within the narrative.
Themes and Messages
At its core, Pushpa 2 goes about ambition, power, and resilience. But, the sequel, goes way more into the larger-than-life image of Pushpa than the grounded anti-hero vibe which made him relatable in the first installment.
Strengths and Weaknesses
A. Strengths
- Allu Arjun’s screen presence is unmatched. Those are breathtaking visuals and magnificent set pieces.
- Scenes of Jaathara sequence in the movie.
B. Weaknesses
- Distension of narration.
- Overindulgence in fan service.
- Stilted antagonist arcs.
Final Verdict
A visual extravaganza in itself and a grand celebration of Allu Arjun’s stardom, Pushpa 2: The Rule has style and spectacle at its disposal but can’t tell the tale well; thus, it is an entertaining but imperfect sequel.
Rating: 3/5
Personal Take
Watching Pushpa 2 is like eating at a lavish buffet—exciting at first, but overwhelming by the end. Allu Arjun’s charm keeps you hooked, though the sequel forgets how to equal the emotional depth and coherence of its predecessor.
Do you think it’s your movie Pushpa 2: The Rule? Are you on the same page with your expectations or it just left you wanting? It’s in your comments now!
Also Read: Moana 2 Review: Does the Magic Still Shimmer?
10. FAQs
1. Is Pushpa 2: The Rule worth watching?
Yes, especially for Allu Arjun’s performance and the larger-than-life sequences.
2. Does Pushpa 2 surpass the first part?
Not quite. While it’s grander, it lacks the narrative depth of Pushpa: The Rise.
3. How long is Pushpa 2: The Rule?
The runtime is 3 hours and 20 minutes.
4. What’s the highlight of Pushpa 2?
Allu Arjun’s performance.
5. Will there be a Pushpa 3?
The ending hints at a possible third installment.
