‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ Review: An Ambitious and Extravagant Action Sequel Delivers Too Much of a Good Thing

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As a seasoned gamer of Indian cinema spanning several decades, I must say that Pushpa is undeniably one of the most captivating characters to grace the silver screen in recent times. This rugged, unapologetic hero, played with such finesse by Allu Arjun, embodies a raw energy and tenacity that’s reminiscent of the protagonists I’ve controlled in my favorite action video games.

In the pantheon of contemporary Indian film protagonists, Pushpa stands tall.

Originally, he’s an individual dwelling on society’s edge – a day laborer bearing a female name that translates to “flower,” harboring a massive grievance against the world. However, Pushpa is not only intelligent but incredibly courageous; these qualities propel him upward within a sandalwood smuggling network, ultimately earning him the title of syndicate leader and patron of Chittoor city.

Although power and wealth don’t drive Pushpa, he yearns for respect and legitimacy more than anything else. These things have been withheld from him since his childhood due to the fact that his father never legally married his mother. Despite appearing indestructible, like a Marvel superhero, Pushpa carries deep scars, much like Amitabh Bachchan’s character in Deewar, who bears the tattoo “my father is a thief” on his arm. This blend of strength and vulnerability makes him truly compelling.

In the vibrant and fruitful creativity of filmmaker Sukumar Bandreddi, Allu Arjun has discovered an ideal outlet to embody Pushpa as if he’s always been no one else. In “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” Arjun showcases his versatility by romance, dancing, crying, strutting, disfiguring, and killing. There are instances where he beats men brutally while adorned with makeup, a sari, earrings, and bangles; truthfully, not many leading actors could carry off such an eclectic performance.

The sequel aims to be India’s grandest cinematic event, and Sukumar and Arjun avoid the easy path, despite including one dance number that is easily forgettable. This film exudes effort, aspiration, and boldness. However, we must ponder: Is there too much of ‘Pushpa’ in this movie? Since the runtime is three hours and 20 minutes, it certainly seems like an excessive dose.

In the spirit of his role model, Sukumar shows no fear. Notably, in the 2021 movie “Pushpa: The Rise“, he unveiled a fresh character, Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, portrayed by Fahadh Faasil, during the final quarter of the film. In this segment, he skillfully constructs one breathtaking sequence after another.

Initially, the story focuses on a power struggle between Pushpa and Shekhawat. Pushpa, a global influencer with the ability to manipulate elections and government positions, is also involved in smuggling large quantities of sandalwood out of India. At the same time, he strives to keep his wife, Srivalli (played by Rashmika Mandanna), content. A tender moment between them occurs when Pushpa shares a kiss on her foot while they’re in the kitchen. In the latter half, the narrative shifts towards Pushpa’s extended family as a new adversary arises. The story will carry forward in Pushpa 3: The Rampage.

Sukumar doesn’t lack creativity. Various scenes throughout the movie are original and thought-provoking, causing you to cheer aloud. The scene leading up to the interval will undoubtedly make you chuckle out loud. Even amidst the intense action – where at one point Pushpa chops off limbs – there are touching moments that may bring tears to your eyes. There are also numerous catchy lines about Pushpa representing a unique brand. “If there’s Pushpa, there’s business,” he states early in the film.

Sukumar provides opportunities for other characters to shine as well. Shekhawat is essentially an amped-up version of Shammi from the film “Kumbalangi Nights“, complete with a uniform and a touch of madness. He’s delightfully unbalanced. Mandanna is put through some intense, acrobatic dance sequences, but she gets a moment to shine. She lends Srivalli backbone, standing her ground against Arjun.

However, Pushpa 2: The Rule stumbles due to its continuous high-octane approach, lacking moments of calm or rest. This unyielding, fast-paced storyline extends over a considerable length, leading to a gradual loss of tension. It’s possible that Sukumar became excessively captivated by his own masterpiece.

Scene after scene underscores Pushpa’s wit and bravery, a recurring theme throughout the initial half hour that seems like multiple action-packed entrances in slow motion. The back-and-forth between Pushpa and Shekhawat eventually starts to feel repetitive.

Devi Sri Prasad’s songs in this production tend to prolong it. The artist who brought us the unforgettable tunes “Oo Antava” and “Srivalli” from the initial film, unfortunately, fails to recreate that enchantment here. However, the background music, a collaborative effort between DSP and Sam C.S., significantly enhances the action scenes.

In “Pushpa 2: The Rule”, one aspect that could be improved is a secondary plot centered around a female character who seems underdeveloped. This character appears to serve primarily as a catalyst for the protagonist’s journey, similar to the teacher in “Simmba” or the teacher in “Vettiyan”. Unfortunately, her representation here involves an unnecessarily explicit and graphic depiction of sexual assault, which is regrettable.

In the movie “Pushpa 2”, the rules of logic or physics may not apply, but there’s a scene where Pushpa fights off numerous men armed with knives despite his hands and feet being bound. He moves like a guided missile, navigating in various directions, and even uses his teeth as weapons. It gives the impression that he is under the influence of divine anger. This sequence borders on the absurd, and sometimes the different elements don’t seamlessly connect. However, Arjun continues to deliver an intense performance, full of action.

After leaving the theater, I was eagerly anticipating watching “Pushpa 3: The Rampage,” yet simultaneously felt drained enough to appreciate the fact that these movies require several years to produce. This period allows us ample time to ponder over Pushpa and, more importantly, recuperate from his intense portrayals.

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2024-12-12 03:25