Movie Name : Pushpa 2 The Rule
Release Date : December 05, 2024
Cast : Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, Rao Ramesh, Brahmaji, Ajay, Tarak Ponnappa, Anasuya Bharadwaj etc.
Director : Sukumar
Music Director : Devi Sri Prasad
Andhrawatch.com Rating : 3.25/5
Story:
The sequel of the much-awaited film Pushpa 2: The Rule takes off very effortlessly from where the first part has ended. Pushpa Raj (Allu Arjun) is now ruling the red sandalwood syndicate as the undisputed “Sandalwood King” and expanding his empire. However, an unforeseen humiliation changes the tack of his personal life due to a fire of vengeance.
In a seemingly mundane moment, Pushpa‘s wife Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna) asks for a photo with the Chief Minister. Her innocent request turns sour as the CM rejects her saying that smugglers have no place in dignified circles. The insult becomes the catalyst for Pushpa‘s next mission, driving him to challenge the very system that dared to belittle him.
Pushpa wants to get rid of the CM, so he joins forces with his trusted MP, Siddappa (Rao Ramesh), who is going to help him ascend to power. Such a plan requires Pushpa to raise a whopping ₹500 crores, and that too by smuggling 2,000 tons of red sandalwood under a very intense scanner. In the midst of all this political game of chess, Pushpa clashes with his arch-nemesis Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat played by Fahadh Faasil.
The narrative weaves into this Pushpa‘s fiercely battled political arena, with the commitment to fulfill his dream of Srivalli, and his tireless quest to earn respect for identity he has long yearned for, especially from the family.
Review:
Allu Arjun has indeed made this Pushpa Raj in the film Pushpa 2: The Rule look rather mesmerizing. He shows depth into the character through passion and authenticity. Through every single shot of emotive expressions, high drama, action scenes, he raises the entire movie’s stakes as one should surely not miss the movie.
The film also features a notable performance by Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli, especially in the emotional scenes during the second half. Her character brings the emotional weight of her role into the story.
Fahadh Faasil delivers as Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, the brutal cop with an aim to destroy Pushpa. His acting, perfectly blending humor and aggression, makes him a formidable opponent. The confrontations between Pushpa and Shekhawat, in particular the tension-filled interval, are some of the film’s most electrifying moments. But his storyline does seem to be left half-written as the film comes to its end.
Other prominent highlights are the action sequences in Pushpa 2, with thrilling choreography that makes the audience go on the edge of the seat. The Jathara sequence and the climactic fight are visual beauties and powerfully acted.
The background score to the film amplifies those emotional and action-packed moments well enough with that music during the Jathara sequence making a strong impact towards that intensity of the film.
The supporting cast is good, including Sunil, Jagapathi Babu, Rao Ramesh, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Brahmaji, Ajay, Kalpalatha, and Tarak Ponnappa, giving substantial performances to the script and enriching the movie.
Sukumar’s direction in Pushpa 2: The Rule truly stands out, especially in the first half, where he crafts intense and gripping moments that keep the audience engaged. The confrontations between Pushpa (Allu Arjun) and various characters are powerfully written, with the interval sequence showcasing the intense ego clash between Pushpa and Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) being a highlight. This moment exemplifies Sukumar’s strength in creating emotionally charged and compelling scenes.
However, the second half of the film faces some pacing challenges, with certain portions feeling a bit slow and drawn-out. While the Jathara sequence stands out as one of the most memorable parts of the film, particularly with Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna’s strong performances, some scenes in the second half could have benefited from tighter editing.
Kissik, which was expected to be a major hit, doesn’t quite meet expectations. For those anticipating a chartbuster, it falls short, but Sreeleela adds a spark with her energetic dance moves, providing some flair to the film.
The emotional family scenes toward the end feel somewhat forced, and the buildup to Pushpa 3 lacks the level of excitement needed to keep the momentum going, leaving the audience with a sense of unfulfilled anticipation.
Sukumar places more emphasis on crafting individual sequences rather than maintaining a consistent, gripping flow throughout the film. While this approach works in some areas, it leads to uneven pacing overall. A quicker pace in the first half could have made the story more impactful and engaging.
On the technical side, Devi Sri Prasad’s background score is exceptional, amplifying the emotional intensity of key scenes, while Sam CS complements with a strong musical score. The film’s production values are impressive, adding to its visual appeal and overall experience.
Pushpa 2: The Rule meets expectations and elevates the franchise. Allu Arjun delivers a stellar performance, effortlessly combining emotional depth with intense action. Fahadh Faasil brings a unique intensity to his role, while Rashmika Mandanna shines in her portrayal. Although the film has a few drawbacks, such as some unnecessary scenes in the first half and a somewhat underdeveloped storyline, it remains engaging. Overall, Pushpa 2 raises the stakes and improves upon the first installment, setting a higher standard for the series.