PLOT: Pushpa struggles to sustain his sandalwood smuggling business in the face of tough opposition from the police. The plot revolves around a turbulent and fierce battle between Pushpa Raj, a coolie turned Mafia kingpin and Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, a psychotic and a ruthless police officer.
Pushpa 2: The Rule is a Telugu action drama film directed by Sukumar and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, in association with Sukumar Writings. It is the second instalment in the Pushpa film series and the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster film Pushpa: The Rise. With a runtime of 200 minutes, it is one of the longest Indian films ever made. Made on a budget of ₹400–500 Crore, the film is one of the most expensive Indian films too.
Star Cast:
Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj
Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli
Fahadh Faasil as Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat
Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari as Keshav
Jagapathi Babu as Kogatam Veera Pratap Reddy
Sunil as Mangalam Srinu
Anasuya Bharadwaj as Dakshayani
Rao Ramesh as Bhumireddy Siddappa Naidu
Dhananjaya as Jaali Reddy
Shanmukh as Jakka Reddy
Satya as Japanese translator
Tarak Ponnappa as Kogatam Buggi Reddy
Ajay as Molleti Mohan Raj
Sritej as Molleti Dharma Raj
Pavani Karanam as Kaveri
Saurabh Sachdeva as Hamid
Adithya Menon as Kogatam Subba Reddy
Mime Gopi as Chennai Murugan
Brahmaji as Sub-Inspector Kupparaj
Aadukalam Naren as CM Narasimha Reddy
Kalpalatha as Parvatamma
Sreeleela in a guest appearance in Kissik song
MOVIE REVIEW: The much-anticipated sequel, Pushpa 2: The Rule, delivers on its promise of action-packed sequences and mass appeal, yet struggles with narrative depth. Allu Arjun’s magnetic performance ensures that the film remains engaging, even when the story falters. The film’s screenplay is a mixed bag. The first half lacks a clear direction, focusing more on creating impactful scenes than advancing the story. The second half pivots unexpectedly to a family-centric angle. Directed by Sukumar, the film amplifies the grandeur and star power of its lead, Allu Arjun, but often at the cost of storytelling finesse.
Miroslaw Kuba Brozek’s cinematography captures the raw, earthy visuals with finesse, enhancing the film’s gritty tone. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score elevate every scene, perfectly complementing the on-screen drama and action. The action choreography is another standout. Key sequences, such as the Jathara sequence, where Pushpa Raj dressed as Goddess Kali, is visually stunning and stands out as the film’s most memorable moment. The cops’ sandalwood chase through a river was enegainng and the silent gestural communication between Pushpa and Shekawat was hilirious.
Allu Arjun is undoubtedly the film’s backbone, delivering a career-defining performance. His portrayal of Pushpa Raj is even more intense and layered than in the first installment. He owns every frame with his impeccable dialogue delivery. Rashmika Mandanna shines in the second half, particularly in emotional scenes. Fahadh Faasil, as the antagonist Shekawat, impresses with his unique style, but his character lacks the menace to be a formidable adversary. The supporting cast, including Jagapathi Babu, Rao Ramesh, Ajay, Jagadeesh and Brahmaji adds value to the film.
The film’s 200-minute runtime proves to be a significant drawback. While it is packed with high-octane action and dramatic moments, the extended duration stretches the narrative thin, making parts of the story feel unnecessarily prolonged. Tighter editing could have enhanced the film’s impact. The climax leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the next installment, hoping for a more balanced blend of substance and spectacle in Pushpa: The Rampage.
Pushpa 2: The Rule Movie Rating:
Direction 3.5/5
Acting 4/5
Action 3.5/5
Story 2.5/5
Screenplay 3/5
Overall Hit ya Flop Rating: 3.3 out of 5 Stars (Good)
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