Pushpa 2 Review: Pushpa: The Rise debuted on December 17, 2021, after the Covid lockdowns, quickly becoming a massive hit not just in Telugu but across Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. The character of ‘Pushparaj’ became iconic, earning Allu Arjun a national award for his performance. Now, in December 2024, Allu Arjun and director Sukumar are back with Pushpa: The Rule. With high expectations surrounding the sequel, the question is: did they live up to the hype? Does Allu Arjun deliver another award-winning performance? What new challenges does ‘Pushparaj’ face as he solidifies his place in the red sandalwood business? And, did Devi Sri Prasad create another unforgettable soundtrack? Let’s find out in this review.
Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna) requests her husband, Pushpa Raj (Allu Arjun), to snap a photo with the Chief Minister, but the CM refuses, dismissing him as a smuggler. How does Pushpa handle this snub? As the head of the Red Sandalwood syndicate, what obstacles does he face? And does Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) finally take his revenge on Pushpa for the defeat he suffered in the first film? These questions form the heart of the story.
Performance Review
Allu Arjun delivered an exceptional performance as Pushpa in the first film, earning a national award for his work. In Pushpa 2: The Rule, he takes his performance to another level. His ability to express every emotion through his face, especially in the Jathara scene, is remarkable. There are at least seven or eight moments in the film where his acting stands out, including a powerful breakdown sequence during the climax. This is undoubtedly his best performance to date, and it has a strong potential to earn him another national award.
Fahadh Faasil’s portrayal of Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat is truly captivating. His impeccable timing brought energy to the screen, and he had the audience laughing several times. While the writing for his character has a few flaws, Faasil’s effortless performance more than made up for them. Rashmika Mandanna shines as Srivalli, excelling in every aspect of her role. Whether in romantic moments, emotional scenes, or even dancing in the ‘Pellings’ song, she fully embodied the character of Srivalli.
Sreeleela showcased her dance skills in the ‘Kissik’ song, holding her own against Allu Arjun, but she doesn’t quite have the same magnetic presence as Samantha, who stole the show with her performance in the ‘Oo Antava Oo Oo Antava’ track in the first film. Rao Ramesh was excellent as Siddappa, delivering a top-notch performance. Ajay made a strong impact with his intense sequence in the climax. Jagadeesh played Keshava well, but his role lacked any real depth or surprises. Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, and Anasuya all performed admirably, though they had very limited screen time.
Technical Aspects Review
Devi Sri Prasad has created four memorable songs for the film, with ‘Sooseki’ being the standout track. It’s likely to become a nationwide hit and stay on people’s playlists for a long time. The background score, a collaboration between Devi Sri Prasad and Sam CS, has its highs and lows. While it complements some scenes beautifully, there are others where it could have been more impactful. Additionally, a few sequences had noticeable sync sound issues, which slightly impacted the overall experience.
Mirosław Kuba Brożek’s cinematography truly shines, particularly during the Jathara episode, the chase scenes, and in capturing the breathtaking beauty of the forests. Naveen Nooli’s editing, however, feels a bit lacking, especially in the latter part of the film. Mythri Movie Makers clearly put a lot of effort and resources into the production, and the result is evident on screen. As for the VFX, it’s solid—not outstanding, but certainly not subpar either.
Pushpa 2 Review : What Works:
- Allu Arjun delivers a performance of a lifetime
- The 20-minute Jathara sequence is a standout moment
- The gripping interval scene keeps you hooked
- Four impressive tracks that leave an impact
- Sukumar’s brilliant direction and storytelling
- Fahadh Faasil adds great energy with his performance
- Rashmika’s emotional outburst in the Jathara episode is a highlight
Pushpa 2 Review : Drawbacks:
- Absence of a powerful villain
- Inconsistent editing, particularly in the latter half
- Some sequences suffer from sound synchronization glitches
Detailed Assessment
S.S. Rajamouli once said that if Sukumar shifted from making intelligent, brain-twisting films to mass commercial ones, he wouldn’t stand a chance. Sukumar proved him right by stepping out of his comfort zone with Rangasthalam, a hit commercial film, and then taking on the Pushpa franchise. While Pushpa: The Rise hinted at his commercial potential, Pushpa 2: The Rule sees Sukumar fully embracing it, blending his unique storytelling with high-octane commercial appeal.
From the very beginning, Sukumar nailed it. The first half of the film follows his signature style, with gradual buildups to Pushpa Raj’s character, culminating in an outstanding interval sequence. Though there was a slight dip in pace for a few minutes, he ended the first half on a high with an excellent pre-interval scene.
In the film’s second half, Sukumar takes things to a whole new creative level. The Jathara segment, with its exceptional writing, direction, choreography, and Allu Arjun’s outstanding performance, stands out as a highlight. It’s clear that this 20-minute sequence alone justifies a theater watch. Sukumar’s skill is evident in how he flawlessly weaves the Peelings and Kissik songs into the story. The culmination in the climax, where the hero reappears in the same look from the Jathara scene, is another brilliant touch from the director.
While some might feel a few moments between Pushpa and Srivalli drag on, Sukumar keeps it grounded and avoids overdoing it. The way he writes their relationship—showing their profound love and dedication to each other—is truly moving. Ajay’s emotional breakdown during the climax is another highlight, with his dialogue on the significance of women in a man’s life being both powerful and impactful. It’s a thoughtful message that is bound to resonate deeply, especially with female viewers, and it’s delivered with remarkable sincerity.
One drawback of the film is the absence of a truly strong antagonist. Despite having several characters who act as opponents—like Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, Prathap Reddy, Bugga Reddy, Siddappa, Mangalam Srinu, and Dakshayani—none of them really seem to challenge Pushparaj. He easily overpowers them each time. It would have added more depth to the story if Sukumar and his team had crafted tougher obstacles for Pushparaj. Also, the pacing in the second half could have been sharper with tighter editing.
Pushpa 2 Review : The Rule has its imperfections, but the highlights make up for them. Allu Arjun gives his most impressive performance yet, and with Sukumar’s skillful direction and writing, the film keeps you hooked from start to finish. It’s a must-watch, especially in a lively theater.
Final Verdict – Pushpa Gadi Thandavam
Rating – 3.25/5