Cinema : Pushpa 2- the rule : Review

 

The much awaited blockbuster Pushpa2 realeased to rousing expectations & the craze had to be seen to be believed . How good was the film ? 

The first thing to know about Pushpa 2 is that it is not an extraordinary film. It is a typical Mumbai-style masala action film. However, being the sequel to a hit film, it carries its own brand value, which successfully draws audiences to theaters. Creating a sequel to a blockbuster movie is never easy, especially when there isn't much story left to tell. Directed by Telugu cinema veteran Sukumar and produced by Allu Aravind's son, Allu Arjun, Pushpa 2 faced numerous challenges during production, primarily due to scheduling conflicts with Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil. The film ends with the announcement of Pushpa 3: The Rampage, and before this revelation, Sukumar skillfully addresses the film's weak links.

In the previous film, Pushpa: The Rise, Pushparaj proclaimed, "I will not bow down," and now he declares, "I will never bow down." His wife is expecting, and he prays to Goddess Kali for a daughter so she can inherit the family name upon marriage—a name that has been a source of pain for Pushpa since childhood. This time, Pushpa's voice is grittier. Actor Shreyas Talpade has once again brought the character of Pushparaj to life on screen. The story begins with Pushpa attempting to transform from a flower to wildfire, clawing his way through challenges. The narrative delves into how the tender child Pushpa grew into Gandharva Pushparaj—a compelling journey.

Mrs. Pushparaj, or Srivalli, continues her endearing gestures and remains deeply devoted to her husband, "Sami." She is portrayed as a devout homemaker, excelling in worship and cooking non-vegetarian meals. To compensate for the absence of Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Sukumar introduces Sreeleela as the item girl in this film. However, Sreeleela lacks Samantha's charm and vivacity, making the item song one of the film's weakest aspects.

Director Sukumar, who often treats Allu Arjun as his muse, felt that the success of Pushpa: The Rise credited Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna more than himself. Rashmika has since moved on to star opposite Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor. In this installment, Allu Arjun's story spans from childhood to the brink of old age, making it a tough journey for the character. The line between the rowdy boy Pushpa and the leader Pushpa is further blurred by Fahadh Faasil's character. However, Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat's role lacks the impact it had in the first film, prompting Sukumar to relegate it from an asset to a liability. Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli spends most of the film revolving around Pushpa, with only one significant scene that allows her to shine. Yet, she makes the most of it, delivering a memorable performance.

The storyline of Pushpa: The Rule begins at a Japanese port and expands extensively over nearly three hours. This time, Sukumar uses a reverse approach, transitioning from the international stage back to the forests of red sandalwood. Supporting actors like Jagadish Bhandari, Jagapati Babu, Rao Ramesh, and Brahmaji deliver solid performances. While the previous film focused on Srivalli's love story, this installment emphasizes Pushpa's quest to earn his mother the respect she has long been denied. The narrative is intertwined with corruption and political intrigue, which Pushpa dismisses as child's play.

Audiences had varying expectations from Rashmika and Srivalli. Rashmika portrays anger convincingly but needs to explore new ways to express it. Her emotional scenes are impactful, although her character lacks depth in the first half. The highlight of the film is the sequence involving the jatra scene, followed by two back-to-back songs and Allu Arjun's ferocious Kali dance, which draws applause. The climax action sequence, where Pushpa saves his niece, also wins over the audience. Despite comparisons to Samantha, Sreeleela's performance and her song fail to leave a mark.

The technical aspects of the film are a mixed bag. Music composer Devi Sri Prasad seems overconfident, and his weak grasp of Hindi is evident. Realizing this shortcoming, the makers brought in S. Thaman and Sam C.S. for the background score. The standout contributor to the technical team is Polish cinematographer Kuba Brożek Mirosław, whose work is commendable. The vibrant production design also deserves praise, and Preetisheel Singh's makeover for Allu Arjun is impressive. However, Naveen Nooli's editing could have been sharper, potentially trimming the film by at least 20 minutes.

In 2024, South Indian cinema has seen milestones like Hanu-Man and Kalki 2898 AD. Now, Pushpa: The Rule arrives, ready to dominate its domain and the box office.