Pushpa 2 Telugu Review: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil starrer packs a punch but lets us down with a thin plot
Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil starrer Pushpa 2: The Rule has arrived. If you are planning to watch the Telugu version of the movie in theaters, here’s the Pinkvilla review of the same!
Name: Pushpa 2: The Rule
Director: Sukumar
Cast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Rao Ramesh, Sunil, Anasuya Bharadwaj
Writer: Sukumar, Srikanth Vissa
Rating: 3/5
Allu Arjun starrer Pushpa 2: The Rule has finally made its way to theaters on December 5, 2024. The film, which has been one of the most anticipated releases of the year, takes us back into the world of red sandalwood smuggling and the reign of Pushparaju.
With Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil reprising their characters from the first installment, the movie also takes us into new terrains, exploring them more deeply. So, here’s the Pinkvilla review for the same!
The Plot:
The movie Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar, focuses on the tale of Pushparaju, a daily-wage worker who rose through the ranks of a smuggling syndicate. During his rise, he made several enemies and faced numerous threats, which continue to linger in this sequel while also introducing new foes.
As Pushpa now leads a married life with his wife, Srivalli, he is portrayed as a doting husband who would do anything for his beloved. This forms the main crux of the story, with the sadistic Bhanwar Singh Shekawat scheming his revenge after his ego was wounded.
The rest of the movie revolves around what Pushpa does to maintain his reign as a kingpin while also striving to be the perfect husband for his wife.
The Good:
One of the best things Pushpa 2: The Rule has to offer is that it gives audiences exactly what they were expecting from a sequel to this franchise. The movie does not falter in delivering a highly masala-packed story, with the unstoppable Pushpa bulldozing through every obstacle that comes his way.
With Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil perfectly fitting the bill for what was expected of their characters, Rashmika Mandanna also shines with her portrayal of Srivalli. Her character arc is well-written, standing strong in the narrative, and Rashmika brilliantly embodies what the role demands without overstepping.
While the storyline of the sequel offers a relatively thin plot to build on, the narration manages to hold attention in certain places, making it enjoyable at various moments. This adds to the grandeur of the movie, which largely rides on Pushpa’s larger-than-life persona.
The dialogues stand out as a highlight, especially those spoken by Fahadh Faasil’s character, who is portrayed as a non-native Telugu speaker. This, combined with the authentic use of the Chittoor region's dialect, adds a layer of realism that is carried over seamlessly from the first installment.
On the technical front, Sukumar has executed the movie with expertise, ensuring it remains entertaining for the most part. Key sequences like the introductory fight, the Jaathara festival scene, and the climactic battle are masterfully crafted, deserving special praise for the stunt department’s exceptional work.
The placement of the songs Sooseki and Peelings within the narrative feels organic and enhances the viewing experience with clean, engaging choreography.
Additionally, the musical soundtrack, designed by Devi Sri Prasad, is a treat to experience, complemented by breathtaking visuals from cinematographer Mirosław Kuba Brożek. The thumping background scores during fight sequences, composed by Sam CS, further elevate the movie, making it as engaging and immersive as possible.
The Bad:
Coming to the underwhelming aspects of the Allu Arjun starrer, the movie begins to feel redundant due to the thin plot it offers. One of the biggest disappointments lies in the underexplored dynamic rivalry between Pushparaju and Bhanwar Singh Shekawat, which was teased as a major conflict at the tail end of the first installment.
While the ego clash between the two men takes center stage, the film fails to deliver the epic showdown it had the potential to become. Despite having immensely talented actors like Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil portraying these pivotal characters, the makers fall short of fully utilizing them. Instead of crafting a climactic confrontation, the movie shifts its focus to a bigger looming threat for Pushpa, which is left to unravel in the third installment.
This lack of depth in the screenplay is further compounded by a lagging and drawn-out editing pattern. With a runtime of 3 hours and 20 minutes, the film feels unnecessarily stretched, with several segments that could have been trimmed to improve pacing.
Additionally, while the film boasts a massive ensemble cast, the narrative fails to make the audience truly invested in the supporting characters. As a result, viewers are left primarily engaged with Pushparaju’s actions, while other characters fade into the background.
These underwhelming aspects leave the film teetering between slightly surpassing its predecessor and merely staying on the same level.
The Performances:
The biggest takeaways from Pushpa 2: The Rule are the leading actors—Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil. All three deliver exceptional performances, fully embodying their characters and elevating the story, even though the supporting performances feel somewhat lackluster.
Allu Arjun, being the wildfire he is, charms us with his portrayal of a larger-than-life action hero, exuding charisma and intensity in every scene. Meanwhile, Fahadh Faasil retains his eccentric tone and enigmatic nature, perfectly aligning with the persona teased in the first installment.
Watch the trailer for Pushpa 2: The Rule
The Verdict:
Pushpa 2: The Rule delivers exactly what you would expect after watching the trailer. The movie packs a punch with its masala elements, which are likely to satisfy fans of mass action films.
Moreover, the film is worth watching for Allu Arjun's fiery performance. True to his iconic catchphrase, “Asalu Thaggedhe Le” (meaning “He’ll never back off”), Arjun commands the screen with his undeniable charisma and intensity.