Pushpa 2: The Rule is one gigantic entertainment kick for viewers

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Salman Khan, Rajinikanth, Prabhas and gang beware! The ultimate ode to a bonanza of entertainment is here. Logic gaya red sandalwood lene, as my modification of the Hindi proverb goes—gaya tel lene (is given short shrift, to mention the meaning)!

I watched this film four days late as I was away, and I decided that after the hype and hoopla I saw in the interim (I even read the reviews of course—from the 1-star to the 4-stars!) I decided that I must be extra-sharp while watching this extravaganza that gives a new meaning to this grand term.

Make no mistake, this is about the grayest character possible, as those familiar with Pushpa Part 1: The Rise know. The man’s a smuggler (Amitabh Bachchan of Deewaar, move over!) of red sandalwood, yet is super moral towards his mother (Kalpalatha) and wife (Rashmika Mandanna) and is still fuming at the rejection by his original clan (he is the son of a mistress, see?). But his elder stepbrother (Ajay)’s daughter (Pavani Karanam) is of marriageable age, is fond of him though they hardly meet, and calls him chachu. This is the personal angle wherein in the usual filmi way, Pushpa gains acceptance from his clan in the end with a family reunion.

He will also move heaven and earth and by fair means or foul, do anything his wife desires from him, like having his picture taken with the chief minister. Since the CM refuses, he changes him by devious means to someone who is willing to pose with him!!

Professionally, this ex-laborer seems to be swimming in money, and has the strength to beat dozens in hand-to-hand combat, martial arts—the works!

The story, as with the prequel, is threadbare. The earlier film had many minor enemies and Pushpa then acquired a major antagonist in SP Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) who vows to bring him down, The film was about outwitting them all, and Part 2 continues in that lane. Pushpa’s arrogance and money power have certainly grown but his wife insists that he is soft inside and that she has seen his tears often.

The action is spellbinding and more, often to the point of mayhem and violence, but then that’s a South movie leitmotif. The climax is suitably made with a hint that Shekhawat, who dies in an explosion, is actually alive and plotting his own revenge after Pushpa has harmed him irrevocably. Onwards then to Pushpa 3: The Rampage, as announced in the last frame!

I have one complaint in this bonanza of heroism: the titles roll very fast in the beginning and even more so in the end. Why this intentional faux pas? Also, as in Pushpa: Part 1—The Rise, Pushpa’s voice is dubbed by Shreyas Talpade, but I fail to see why so much Marathi (incidentally my mother-tongue!) is used when the venue is clearly Andhra Pradesh!

Allu Arjun of course, rules the screen as well, and besides his gruff voice (perfectly done by Shreyas), his eyes do most of the performing. He is the classic hero, who only gets mere scratches in a fight and is lethal for baddies. Rashmika provides able support as Srivalli, the often-libidinous and totally devoted wife.

Fahadh Faasil’s expressions are chameleon-like and he is the quintessential mix of menace and (for viewers) comedy. Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari as Kesava, Pushpa’s friend is perfect, while Ajay as Molleti Mohan Raj, Pushpa’s elder half-brother and Pavani Karanam as Pushpa’s niece make a mark. The others too put it effective performances, especially Kalpalatha as Pushpa’s mother.

I would doing injustice to writer-director Sukumar, who has given a sequel that is compulsorily bigger but also better, and the monumental work in cinematography by Miroslaw Kuba Brozek and the editing by Naveen Nooli if I do not lavish hosannas on their extraordinary work. If the film had been shortened (it stands at 200 minutes!), it would have been better, but clearly, with the way the film is performing, audiences cannot have enough of Allu Arjun.

This time, Devi Sri Prasad scores high in the background score (along with Sam C.S.). His songs are also filmed with monstrous (that’s the only word that seems to fit!!) lavishness. I loved Shreya Ghoshal’s beautifully rendered Angaaron pe, where Shreya goes the whole hog in emotions from caring to naughtily erotic, and proves that there is no singer to match her range and abilities today: this one deserves a National award for less, no less! Her Southern inflections are uncannily brilliant. Raqueeb Alam’s lyrics also impress. And the other songs, especially Peelings and Kali Mahakali, are very catchy and grow on you.  

One last word: don’t watch Pushpa 2: The Rule as a critic. This is a buffet spread of action, drama, humor and spectacle. Decidedly—and delightfully—critic-proof, it is that much ahead of similar sagas as the tortoise was finally ahead of the hare.

Rating: ****

Mythri Movie Makers’ & Sukumar Writings’ Pushpa Part 2: The Rule Produced by: Produced by: Naveen Yerneni & Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar  Directed by: Sukumar  Written by: Sukumar, Srikant Vissa & Rajendra Sapre (Hindi Dialogues) Music: Devi Sri Prasad  Starring: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Rao Ramesh, Tarak Ponnappa, Ajay,  Sritej, Pavani Karanam, Saurabh Sachdeva, Aanchal Munjal, Adithya Menon, Kalpalatha as Parvatamma, Bindu Chandramouli, Divi Vadthya, Sp. App.: Sreeleela