Pushpa Pushpa- Pushpa Raj! The words will automatically start ringing in your head the moment you will enter the theatre. You will have a different swag in your walk and attitude for good four hours because that’s what Pushpa: The Rise released in 2021 did to us.
The hype around Pushpa: The Rule is real. From pre-advance booking shattering records to the movie already becoming the highest-opener ever, Allu Arjun’s stardom knows no boundaries as the days go by.
Looking at the hype, we decided to try our luck with the tickets on the very first day and guess what? WE GOT LUCKY. Is it because we were watching it in the North of India? We are sure this would not have been the case in the South.
Alright, cutting to the chase, regardless you are a fan of Allu Arjun or not, fans have high expectations from Pushpa: The Rule but does it deliver or is it going to be another sequel which fails to impress? Let’s find out.
Movie: Pushpa: The Rule
Cast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahad Faasil, Sunil, Dhananjaya, Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari, Rao Ramesh, Ajay, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Shanmukh, and Ajay Ghosh
Director: Sukumar
Duration: 3 Hours 20 Minutes
Loo Breaks: Take when the songs come
Language: Telugu
Rating: 3
Pushpa: The Rule Intro
Allu Arjun’s Pushpa: The Rule does not need the world-building. The first part did its job pretty well. Part two gets massy, meaner, and meatier but feels like a Tom and Jerry chase which won’t end. While part one shows the rise of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa Raj, the second only shows how powerful he has become and Pushpa “hargiz nahi jhukega sala.”
Pushpa Raj has become more ambitious, more arrogant and adamant and is willing to do anything his “baiko” Srivalli played by in all innocence Rashmika Mandanna says. The line gets blurred again when he goes to any lengths to protect his family but again let’s not forget he is a criminal at the end of the day.
We are repeatedly reminded in the movie how Pushpa Raj is a brand and is here to rule. Should we sympathize with him?
Pushpa: The Rule Cast
ALLU ARJUN
Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj is a treat to watch. And, after two movies it is safe no other actor could have played the role of this rowdy mafia with a heart. Allu’s screen presence only gets the whistles when he pulls punches, chews up the bad guy’s ears while his hands and feet are tied up. Yes, he did that. And, also when he shows off his power and networking skills as a smuggler.
The emotional scenes are a bit dry since he is still dealing with the issues which he did in part one. Since the movie is too long, the scenes do not rush, nor do Allu’s tears but for the first time we wished they did. Unfortunately, there is no character development for Pushpa Raj. You will only love him for the lungi-clad action, cheesy dialogues and his unconditional love for his “baiko.” In short- Pushpa has gone from fire to wildfire.
RASHMIKA MANDANNA
Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli at least had foot-stepping and chart-topping numbers to her name in part one. Tragically, nothing works for her in Pushpa: The Rule. Not the scenes. Not the songs. Not the plot.
A talent like Rashmika is sadly wasted in the entire movie. While Pushpa Raj in the movie does only what his wife says, we really wish director Sukumar had the same intentions. In this close to 3.5 hours movie, Rashmika gets only one scene which sheds light on her skills but that too lacks the texture. Bit harsh? Yes. Rashmika in part two is only there in the movie because of the continuity.
FAHAADH FAASIL
Fahaadh Faasil is a treat to watch in Pushpa: The Rule. Thanks to the director, we get more than enough of Fahaadh which we earnestly craved in part one. Fondly known as FaFa, Fahaadh steps into the shoes of SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat. Our eyes got wider and brighter as he finally got to do full-fledged masala action scenes.
Fahaadh surprises you from the very first scene without any heroic entry but make the fans realise that SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat will not going to go easy on Pushpa Raj. He is dying to take the revenge and that’s where things get personal.
Fahaadh, in some scenes, feels acting too corny and doesn’t go well with the image he has cemented in his career. He might be open to experiment but at some places, it just gets too much.
Pushpa: The Rule PLOT
In this extensively long movie, the first hour is solely dedicated to Allu Arjun’s Pushpa Raj showing his heroics, and how egoistic he has become. The director has put random emotional scenes and action sequences trying to justify the Pushpa brand.
Words like “mardangi” and “rule” are deliberately used every now and then to provoke men and incite silly fights.
It is when you get close to the interval, you finally get to join the dots of the plot. Pushpa Raj has to smuggle more than 1000 tons of “Lal Chandan” aka Red Sandalwood out of India. And, of course, he has to overcome the hurdles such as SP Shekhawat, local goons, and top politicians. The movie soon turns into a tom & jerry chase. Pushpa and SP fight like school boys only to show “jhukega nahi sala.”
The movie goes haywire when the songs and emotional scenes are placed in the wrong place. Yes, the action sequences are top-notch, enjoyable, jaw-dropping, slow-motioned and gel well with the high-adrenaline background score. Devi Sri Prasad has shown his magic on the background score and soundtrack of the. Sam C. S was also roped in for additional background score.
Pushpa: The Rule Top Highlights
This section is filled with spoilers. Please read at your own risk. We have been complaining about the movie but yes, of course Pushpa: The Rule had its moments.
One of the top highlights of the movie is when Pushpa Raj buys the entire police station after bribing all the cops present there. Another big moment in the movie comes when Pushpa buys a Rs.100 crore helicopter just to prove how powerful he is.
A ‘whistle podu’ moment is when Pushpa and SP Shekhawat end up fighting at a party after the former is forced to apologize. SP Shekhawat killing a syndicate member is another big moment in the movie. Gangamma Thalli jatara scene is also worth mentionable as you get to see to what extent Allu’s acting skills can go.
Pushpa: The Rule Lowest Moments
It is the songs which irked us the most. Cringe lyrics and bizarre choreography will make you uncomfortable and disgusted. The duration of the movie is something which all of us will crib out.
Emotional scenes will drain you but you will probably won’t shed tears since the image of Pushpa’s as the goon remains too intact.
Pushpa: The Rule Direction And Cinematography
Sukumar was clearly under pressure to perform with part two since the 2021 Pushpa: The Rise proved to be a BLOCKBUSTER. Pushpa: The Rule’s script certainly has flaws but Sukumar tries to hide it under the carpet with nuanced cinematography. Allu Arjun is his masterstroke and Sukumar plays it well. Speaking of Cinematography, Sukumar roped in Miroslaw Brozek again and oh boy, he did not disappoint at all.
Climax and End Credits
We are going to stay mum on this. Absolute SHUSH.
Pushpa: The Rule Final Thoughts
Pushpa 2 is bound to break the box-office records regardless of its flaws. Thanks to all the hype, Allu Arjun’s latest is a must-watch.
