Allu Arjun outdoes himself; Fahadh Faasil, Rashmika Mandanna deliver delightful performances
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Allu Arjun is finally back as Pushpa Raj in Pushpa 2 aka Pushpa The Rule. The film has hit theatres three years after the first film in the franchise, Pushpa The Rise, became a Pan India phenomenon and gave all movie enthusiasts a few new takiya kalams – ‘Jhukega Nahin’ and ‘Flower nahin, fire hai main’. In the trailer of his sequel, Allu Arjun who plays Pushpa Raj, mouths yet another line that is sure to become iconic, ‘Fire samjhe kya, wildfire hai main’. That line encapsulates the essence of the sequel Pushpa The Rule, boasting that it is bigger and better than what we have seen in Pushpa The Rise. But is it? Check out BollywoodLife’s review to know.
What’s it about?
Puspa The Rule continues Pushpa Raj’s (Allu Arjun) journey from where it ended in Pushpa The Rise. While he gains more power, taking his red sandalwood smuggling business to newer highs, his conflict with his main nemesis, Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) gets murkier with not just law and politics but also massive egos coming into play. All along, Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna), Pushpa’s lady love turned wife, stands by his side, giving him just the right kind of nudges, playing a key role that shape his actions. Pushpa is fearless, he is not worried about his own life, but this time around, there is something dearer and important at stake. Will he be able to triumph against all odds and establish his supremacy? Or will he be pushed to his limits and forced to go on a rampage?
Movie Review: Pushpa The Rule
Cast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Sreeleela (in the song Kissik)
Director: SukumarRelease Date: December 5, 2024 in theatres
What’s Hot?
Allu Arjun gives an outstanding performance. If you loved him in Pusha The Rise, then he is sure to leave you obsessed in Pushpa 2. The man outdoes himself and while his punch lines and swag are on point, it is his performance in two scenes which will give you goosebumps. The Jatra dance and fight scene and his God mode action sequence perfectly choreographed to the powerful Mahisasur Mardini stotra right before the film ends, highlight his unwavering devotion to his craft. These are scenes that will make other actors envious and wishing that they too someday land a film and character like Pushpa Raj. Will Allu Arjun sweep a National Award for his performance? High possibility.
Fahadh Faasil, who left us insatiate in the first instalment has a lot more to do in Pushpa The Rule. Even then, some might find that the writing failed to create a well-built nemesis. But it seems Sukumar very tactfully kept Fahadh aka Bhanwar Singh’s character powerful yet subtle to keep it from overlapping with the equally invincible Pushpa Raj.
Rashmika Mandanna is effortless as Srivalli and a delight to watch. The actress seems to have taken the feedback that came her way after Animal and delivers a high intensity monologue with full power. Though she’s sharing screen with Pushpa, it will not be easy to take eyes away from her, and there are some moments which will remind you why she is the OG National Crush.
The story is fast paced and keeps your interest arrested throughout with a fitting background score. The action scenes are deftly designed and very skillfully complement all that Pushpa Raj stands for.
While the lyrics and songs are hardly impressive, the choreography keeps you glued to the screen. The dialogues and punch lines are artfully crafted, laced with wit and swag. There are a few light-hearted moments as well, but none of them seem forced as with most Hindi dubbed movies.
Pushpa Raj gets a brilliant character arc from the first to part 2. He is the anti-hero who you can’t help but root for. What stands out is the fact that while Pushpa 2 The Rule has violence, blood, gore, action, glorifying fearless heroism, just like Animal, at the same time Pushpa has the highest regard for women. In fact, two of the major sub-plots that make Pushpa 2 what it is, are set in motion due to the women around him. Pushpa is an animal, but not one with a ruthless heart.
What’s not?
The songs and lyrics could have been better. While Oo Antava, Srivalli and Sami from Pushpa The Rise became chartbusters, Pushpa The Rule hardly has any to write home about.
Watch a video on Pushpa 2
BL Verdict
Watch Pushpa The Rule for Allu Arjun’s superlative performance, a gripping story and powerpacked action sequences. Sach mein, fire nahin, Wildfire hai yeh!
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