Allu Arjun’s ‘Thaggede Le’ hand gesture in Pushpa: The Rise (2021) is more than a movie scene; it’s become a cultural movement, signifying defiance and strength that is unbreakable. Quickly becoming a symbol of global resilience, fans and celebrities from all over the world adopted the ‘Thaggede Le’ as an icon of confidence. Thus, it became viral, crossing the boundaries of a movie’s release date.
Since its inception, the ‘Thaggede Le’ gesture has been recreated innumerable times, from viral social media challenges to sporting events, where people have taken it as their own personal sign of courage. The phrase has come to symbolize fearlessness and determination, making a lasting impact not only in the entertainment world but also in real-world scenarios.
The gesture took a new and inspiring twist when the up-and-coming Telugu cricket star Nitish Kumar Reddy paid tribute to Allu Arjun by recreating it after his personal achievement in the 2024 Border Gavaskar Trophy. Reddy made headlines while playing for India at the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) by scoring his maiden Test fifty during the fourth Test match against Australia. Redding finally achieved the milestone for which he was waiting all along, raising his hands in the most famous of ‘Thaggede Le’ gestures. He linked his success with the sense of pride and confidence represented by the gesture.
A game-changer for Indians from Reddy, his valuable knock ensured India did not risk facing the follow on against the mighty Australians at any cost. But Reddy didn’t stop there. He continued to score his first Test century and marked himself as one of the most promising young cricketers of India. The recreation of the ‘Thaggede Le’ gesture added another layer to the cultural phenomenon, merging sports with cinema, and the gesture became a symbol of success, grit, and determination in several fields.
WILDFIRE KNOCK from the Telugu Bidda 💥💥💥#Pushpa2TheRule #Pushpa2 pic.twitter.com/m7cCwo9m8f
— Mythri Movie Makers (@MythriOfficial) December 28, 2024