Pushpa 2: The Rule Review – An In-Depth Look at Allu Arjun’s Highly Anticipated Film

Pushpa 2: The Rule, released with immense hype and a runtime of 3 hours and 20 minutes, has finally hit the screens. This review offers a spoiler-free look at the film, covering its strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact, helping you decide if it lives up to the anticipation.

Initial Impressions: High Expectations and Runtime

The film was watched with high expectations, leading to purchasing high-cost tickets. Many scenes successfully met these expectations, delivering the anticipated punch. However, a noticeable lengthiness was felt in certain parts. Several elements showcased in the trailer and glimpses were left incomplete, leading to some disappointment. The reviewer noted a feeling that the narrative was being stretched like a web series. Despite this, the movie features many refreshing scenes that break from routine, making it a film best experienced in theaters. Viewers can decide whether to watch it immediately or wait for ticket prices to reduce.

The Story So Far and What’s Next: A Glimpse into Pushpa 3

The narrative of Pushpa 2 picks up directly from the characters introduced in Part 1, adding new ones to the expanding universe. The core story revolves around Pushpa’s efforts to further his red sandalwood business amidst numerous adversaries, detailing how he navigates these challenges or if he succeeds at all. Many aspects teased in the trailer and glimpses have been deliberately left untouched, seemingly saved as highlights for the upcoming Part 3. The film concludes with a tease for “Pushpa 3: The Rampage,” showing an unrevealed character from behind, setting the stage for the next installment.

What Worked: The Positives of Pushpa 2

Allu Arjun’s Stellar Performance

Allu Arjun’s portrayal of Pushpa Raj has been lauded as exceptional. His acting, described as that of an “acting monster” with a “thagede le” attitude, delivers a significant kick through Pushpa Raj’s dialogues. The reviewer felt that if Allu Arjun didn’t receive an award for Pushpa 1, his performance in Part 2 alone would surely earn him one, placing him among the top 10 best actors witnessed. Specifically highlighted are the 25-minute Amman goddess scene and the intense climax fight, which were described as incredibly involving and proof of his magnificent acting. Pushpa’s character truly rises further, embodying the film’s title. Every appearance of Pushpa, often amidst a cat-and-mouse game, is electrifying, featuring powerful and refreshing scenes with ultra-mass dialogues. The Amman get-up, the dance on burning embers, and the unreleased Amman song in the 25-minute sequence created an immersive experience for the audience.

Sukumar’s Visionary Direction

Director Sukumar has been highly appreciated for his brilliant direction. Taking three years to deliver the film ensures novelty in every scene. He skillfully penned powerful scenes that effectively showcase Pushpa’s true strength, creating a solid setup and good drama in the first half.

Strong Character Portrayals

Rashmika Mandanna delivered an excellent performance, with her character’s role as a wife being portrayed with significant importance, integrated well into the main story. Fahadh Faasil, as Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, truly steals the show. His role is set to take his acting career to new heights, with a more prominent presence than in Pushpa 1, though some of his arc is saved for Part 3. Other supporting actors like Jagapathi Babu, Anasuya, Sunil, Rao Ramesh, and Keshav also performed well within their roles.

Engaging Scenes and Technical Brilliance

The film features many refreshing and impactful scenes. In the first half, the police station scene, the meeting with the CM, Jagapathi Babu’s sequence, the red sandalwood dealings, and the interval are noteworthy. The second half immediately starts with engaging scenes, followed by a thrilling smuggling and chasing sequence. The non-stop 25-minute Amman goddess get-up scene stands out as a major highlight, culminating with the mention of Srivalli’s name. The climax further cements these as positive points. The background music (BGM) in the second half, particularly during the climactic fight, was exceptional and received high praise. The cinematography was also excellent, significantly aiding the storytelling. The “Aggi Ravva Maadri” song design was particularly amazing, with its unique setup becoming clear upon viewing the film.

Areas for Improvement: The Negatives

Length and Pacing Issues

The film’s runtime of 3 hours and 20 minutes contributed to a feeling of lag in some parts. It felt akin to watching a 7-episode web series, requiring considerable patience. While the first half was generally good, it still had some laggy scenes. The second half, despite its electrifying moments, also experienced a mid-section lag. The climax, too, felt dragged out even after the “kick song,” leading to a premature feeling of the movie ending. It is speculated that this might not feel as laggy on OTT platforms, similar to Pushpa 1, due to a continuous viewing flow, but the theatrical experience highlighted the length, particularly in the first half and pre-climax. This could be due to the director’s uncompromising vision to include everything he wanted to convey.

Weak Villainism and Predictability

Despite the build-up from Pushpa 1’s ending, which introduced many villains, and the intense fake death glimpse released much earlier, the reviewer personally expected villainy to reach its peak. However, everything in the film seemed to favor Pushpa, diminishing the sense of danger or tension for the protagonist. Characters like Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, Sunil, and Anasuya were portrayed almost comically in certain second-half situations, diluting their villainous impact. The introduction of many new characters only to have them quickly move on also felt underdeveloped.

Incomplete Story Arcs and Diversions

Many plot points from the trailer and glimpses were intentionally left untouched, to be explored in Part 3. Furthermore, some double-meaning scenes and “peeling” (romantic/kissing) songs, especially those featuring Rashmika’s exposing, felt like diversions from the main narrative, though no vulgar words were used.

First Half Issues and Interval

Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat’s inactivity in the first half felt unclear. The interval felt delayed and did not have the anticipated “range” expected for a film of Pushpa 2’s scale.

Background Music Disappointment (First Half)

While the second half’s BGM was phenomenal, the first half’s music was somewhat disappointing in certain places. During powerful dialogues in the interval scene and other engaging moments, the music often felt insufficient, missing an opportunity to further enhance the scenes’ impact.

The Verdict: A Wildfire with Caveats

Despite the issues with length, weaker villainism, and the narrative being stretched to set up a third part, the film is undeniably a “wildfire.” Many scenes are executed brilliantly and are highly engaging. However, the film struggles with a lack of strong, consistent villainy and a streamlined narrative flow, leading to a sometimes disjointed feel. The reviewer personally expected a more substantial role for Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, leading to some disappointment in that aspect. Overall, while many scenes worked exceptionally well, the film feels lengthy and lacks strong villainy.

Final Rating: 3.25/5 (Based on the reviewer’s personal opinion)