Movie: Pushpa 2 The Rule
Rating: 2.75/5
Banner: Mythri Movie Makers
Cast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Dhanunjaya, Rao Ramesh, Sunil, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Tarak Ponnappa, and others
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
DOP: Miresłow Kuba Brożek
Editor: Navin Nooli
Fights: Peter Hein, "Dragon" Prakash, Kecha, Navakanth
VFX Supervisor: Kamal Kannan
Production Designer: S. Ramakrishna - Monica Nigotre
Produced by: Naveen Yerneni, Ravi Shankar Yalamanchili
Written and Directed by: Sukumar
Release Date: December 5, 2024
Pushpa 2 has been generating massive buzz over the past few months. Following the sensational pan-Indian success of the first installment, the second part has created tremendous anticipation nationwide.
Trade analysts are predicting that it will set new records at the box office. Allu Arjun has actively promoted the film across India, further fueling the excitement.
Let’s see if it lives up to the hype.
Story:
Pushpa Raj (Allu Arjun), now enjoying a happy married life, faces an unusual request from his wife, Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna), who asks him to take a photograph with the state's Chief Minister. Despite accepting funds from Pushpa Raj for his political party, the CM refuses, citing that he cannot be seen associating with a smuggler.
Feeling humiliated, Pushpa Raj resolves to make his friend Siddappa (Rao Ramesh) the next Chief Minister. To achieve this ambitious goal, he must arrange ₹500 crore by smuggling large quantities of red sanders.
However, SP Shekawat (Fahadh Faasil), seeking revenge for the humiliation he suffered earlier, is determined to sabotage Pushpa's plans.
Amidst the ongoing rivalry between Shekawat and Pushpa Raj, Pushpa also faces a domestic crisis that diverts his focus, adding another layer of complexity to his mission.
Artistes’ Performances:
Allu Arjun, who won a National Award for his performance in the first part of Pushpa, delivers yet another captivating performance in the sequel. The Gangamma Jathara episodes and the climax stand out as highlights of his acting prowess. In the Gangamma sequence, Allu Arjun embraces a female persona, showcasing his incredible versatility as an actor. While the sequel includes more action stunts, Allu Arjun still shines with his emotive acting, delivering a performance even more intense than in the first installment. The film is entirely his show.
Rashmika Mandanna, though limited in screen time, excels in pivotal moments. She particularly impresses in two key scenes where she gets to display her acting skills, and she exudes glamour in the "Peelings" song.
Fahadh Faasil, the exceptional Malayalam actor, once again proves his mettle. His presence consistently elevates the drama, turning even ordinary scenes into gripping moments. As the antagonist, his charisma and authentic performance command attention.
Rao Ramesh is impressive in his role, while Jagapathi Babu's character lacks depth and impact.
Sunil and Anasuya Bharadwaj, reprising their roles from the first part, have minimal significance in the narrative. Sreeleela's item song, unfortunately, stands out as the weakest part of the film.
Technical Excellence:
Miresłow Kuba Brożek's cinematography is breathtaking, elevating the visual experience to a new level. Compared to the first installment, his work in this sequel is even more impressive. Following the massive success of the first part, the producers have significantly increased the budget, allowing all technicians to raise the bar in terms of quality and richness.
The visuals are sleek, and the production design and VFX are top-notch. The dialogues are sharp, and the action stunts are lavishly executed.
Devi Sri Prasad's music, while not as iconic as in the first part, works reasonably well on screen. Both Devi Sri Prasad and Sam CS deliver a solid background score. However, the editing is a major drawback.
The film’s runtime of 3 hours and 20 minutes makes it feel tiresome at times, hindering the overall experience.
Highlights:
Allu Arjun’s stunning performance
Pushpa's clash with Chief Minister
The “Sorry” episode involving Fahadh and Bunny
Climax fight
Drawback:
Lengthy runtime
Unnecessary first 20 minutes
Lags
The lead episode to Part 3
Analysis
Pushpa 2, the second installment in the Pushpa franchise, continues the story from where the first part left off. Director Sukumar begins the narrative with a sequence set in Japan before transitioning back to the Seshachalam Forest in flashback style. However, the initial 15 minutes of the film feel unnecessary and add little to the storyline, needlessly extending the runtime.
The plot then shifts focus to Pushpa Raj's current marital life, the Chief Minister's refusal to be photographed with him, and a brewing conflict between Shekawat and Pushpa. These events unfold at a deliberate pace, with the film taking its time to build the narrative.
Sukumar excels in engaging viewers with his screenplay, gradually heightening anticipation for key moments, particularly the confrontation between Fahadh Faasil and Allu Arjun. The interval successfully sets up the drama for the second half.
The standout sequence post-interval is the Gangamma Jathara, where Sukumar’s strong writing and direction shine. In this scene, Allu Arjun, dressed as Gangamma, delivers a riveting fight sequence.
Following this, the song "Sooseki" and a subsequent family confrontation scene provide emotional depth, with Rashmika Mandanna delivering a standout performance. This extended sequence is one of the highlights of the second half, blending drama and emotion effectively.
The film also balances humor and romance in a few scenes between Rashmika Mandanna and Allu Arjun. Rashmika, in particular, steps out of her comfort zone for some daring, glamorous moments leading up to the "Peelings" song.
While the first half offers intermittent thrills, the second half captivates with a lengthy, impactful sequence. However, the film lacks a solid storyline, relying on recurring themes of humiliation and the hero's quest for validation.
Sukumar appears to have leaned heavily on Allu Arjun’s mannerisms and commanding performance to carry the film, prioritizing action over a compelling narrative.
The pre-climax features a visually grand but logically implausible fight sequence where Allu Arjun battles antagonists with his hands and legs bound. While the scene evokes some emotional resonance within the context of the story, its lack of realism diminishes its impact.
The lead-up to part 3 feels more like a gimmick than a seamless continuation of the story.
Despite its shortcomings, Sukumar showcases his brilliance in two key sequences: Allu Arjun’s emotional breakdown as he prays for a daughter instead of a son, and the climactic Ajay sequence. However, the director's shift towards a louder, mass-market style departs from his usual classy and nuanced storytelling.
Overall, Pushpa 2 thrives on Allu Arjun’s phenomenal performance, which surpasses his work in the first installment. While the film suffers from a lengthy runtime and a less cohesive story, Allu Arjun’s magnetic presence and the engaging narrative make it an entertaining watch.
Bottom line: Not So fragrant
