Allu Arjun Pushpa 2 The rule suffocates under pressure

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The verse from the title song: “Anni unna Pushpa ki paapam konni levanta“(Pushpa has everything except a few) captures the essence of the film perfectly. However, while the song suggests that fear, sadness and equally powerful rivals are the only things Pushpa (Allu Arjun) lacks, the character – and the film – actually lacks a few more things. Yes, it has almost everything the first part offers; However, the film occasionally makes you feel inadequate. And if you’re asking if it offers more than the prequel, the answer would be no, despite the sequel’s larger scope. Don’t get me wrong, the film has bigger action sequences, more moments designed for mass appeal and even more fiery dialogue. But when it comes to offering more depth or being as compelling and memorable as the first installment, it doesn’t quite measure up.

While ‘Pushpa 2’ is undeniably better than most ‘pan-Indian’ capsule films, it too suffers from exaggeration. Sukumar emphasizes right from the start that this part is bigger than its predecessor. However, his efforts often feel forced as these grand elements are not smoothly integrated into the narrative. Now that Pushpa has achieved “pan-Indian” status, Sukumar introduces gimmicks to make him and the film seem “international” – like a brawl in a Japanese port where Pushpa casually buys a helicopter in Dubai and goes with it no trouble crossing international borders into Sri Lanka. While the original film felt natural and down-to-earth, Pushpa 2 often overdoes it and that ambition often works against it. Sukumar struggles to combine these flamboyant moments with the grounded storytelling that characterized the first film, making the sequel’s overambitious nature its biggest detriment.

Watch the trailer of Pushpa 2 The Rule here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1StrdAUcreJ4

One of the most compelling aspects of Pushpa was how likeable the character was. Pushpa was not a superhuman person like Rocky Bhai, Salaar or Baahubali. Instead, he was grounded – a complex, multifaceted character with human flaws and depth. In The Rise, this relativity gave richness to his personality; However, in Pushpa: The Rule he is burdened by the expectation of being a brand, which flattens the character into a one-dimensional figure. While the narrative initially sets up a fascinating clash of titans between Pushpa and SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat IPS (Fahadh Faasil) and leads to a massive showdown at the end, this promising rivalry ends up proving inadequate as the film’s focus falters. The exploration of the male ego – such an integral part of The Rise – is once again effectively portrayed here, thanks largely to the standout performances and electrifying chemistry between Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil, as two equally unhinged characters Psychos shine who are capable of anything.

Unfortunately, the equation between Pushpa and his current wife Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna) remains embarrassingly cringe-worthy. While the film deserves credit for showing a woman openly expressing her sexual desires and breaking away from traditional norms, it also undermines this progress by hypersexualizing Srivalli, which becomes increasingly annoying. Although Rashmika has fewer moments to shine, she performs well in scenes that require restraint, but often comes across as cartoonish in more dramatic instances. After being paired with Pushpa in the film of the same name, Ranvijay Balbir Singh in Animal, Vijay in Varisu, Major Ajay Krishna in Sarileru Neekevvaru, Bobby in Dear Comrade and Vijay Govind in Geetha Govindam, it is hard not to wonder when she will finally do will be cast opposite a character who isn’t disturbingly eccentric.

Sukumar’s Pushpa 2: The Rule – starring Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna – is the latest example of a film that has faltered under the weight of pressure to perform and high expectations.

Another major disadvantage is the film’s long running time. At over 200 minutes long, the story often feels padded, with few meaningful elements to sustain the length. When Pushpa and Shekhawat are not competing, the narrative slows down significantly and relies on repeated dialogue to fill in gaps. While moments like the break block, the policemen’s sandalwood chase through a river and the silent gestural communication between Pushpa and Shekhawat are impressive, such examples are few and far between, buried under an overabundance of unnecessary filler. What makes things even more frustrating is the fact that the film ends with the announcement of another sequel and one has to wonder why this part had to be so long in the first place.

The narrative’s rare saving grace lies in the moments when Pushpa’s vulnerability shines through. What sets him apart from other “pan-Indian” heroes is that he is a “flower” in nature. He doesn’t have to proclaim that “a mother is the greatest warrior in the world” to express his love for his mother; his actions speak for themselves. He doesn’t shy away from his feelings either. After a touching moment with his half-brother Molleti Mohan Raj (Ajay), Pushpa collapses and melts into Srivalli’s arms, surrounded by the women in his household, including his mother. In one of the film’s most visually stunning sequences, Pushpa is dressed as Goddess Kali, draped in a sari and exuding a powerful mix of compassion, anger and fearlessness. This carefully choreographed sequence, full of emotion and action, is a rare triumph in an otherwise uneven narrative.

Throughout the film, Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil constantly strive to outdo each other and deliver excellent performances without sacrificing quality. Devi Sri Prasad’s BGM and OST, enhanced by Chandrabose’s lyrics, along with Miroslaw Kuba Brozek’s cinematography, are undoubtedly the film’s greatest technical strengths. Sukumar’s remarkable ability to create such an epic film without relying on cameo appearances from other stars deserves recognition. His unwavering belief in the world of Pushpa played a crucial role in this, although it could have been even more effective had he not succumbed to the pressure to make it “pan-Indian” just for its own sake and announced another sequel In the end, this film remained incomplete. Still, it is Sukumar’s world and we all just live in it. The simplest and shortest review of Pushpa 2 would be: “Sarvam Pushpa Mayam.”

Cast of the film “Pushpa 2 The Rule”: Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil, Rashmika Mandanna
Director of the film “Pushpa 2 The Rule”: Sukumar
Rating of the movie “Pushpa 2 The Rule”: 2.5 stars