Pushpa 2: The Rule Movie Review | Anupama Chopra | THR India

Summary

In *Pushpa 2: The Rule*, protagonist Pushpa evolves from a marginalized laborer to a feared international syndicate leader. The film explores his quest for respect and legitimacy, blending intense action with emotional depth. Despite some repetitive sequences and an overlong runtime, the movie features standout performances, particularly from ALU Arjun. While the narrative occasionally feels excessive and certain subplots underdeveloped, the film delivers thrilling moments and showcases Pushpa’s power, wit, and vulnerability. Director Sukumar’s ambitious vision is evident, but the story’s relentless pace may exhaust viewers. Anticipation for *Pushpa 3* remains high.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pushpa, the protagonist, starts as a marginalized daily wage laborer with a chip on his shoulder but ascends to power through his intelligence and fearlessness.
• 😀 Despite his rise to power, Pushpa seeks respect and legitimacy more than money, driven by the absence of these things since childhood.
• 😀 Pushpa's character, portrayed by Allu Arjun, combines elements of invincibility and emotional scars, much like a superhero or Amitabh Bachchan's iconic roles.
• 😀 The film Pushpa 2 aims to be India's biggest event film, with director Sukumar and Allu Arjun's dedication shining through in every aspect, even though the film occasionally falters.
• 😀 Pushpa 2's plot revolves around a rivalry between Pushpa and a new character, Bhavar Singh Shakawat, played by Fahadh Faasil, with surprising and inventive sequences.
• 😀 Although Pushpa 2 delivers several emotional moments and inventive sequences, its overlong runtime (3 hours and 20 minutes) risks losing audience engagement.
• 😀 The character dynamics in Pushpa 2, including Pushpa's relationship with his wife Shivali, provide emotional depth amidst the high-action sequences.
• 😀 Despite moments of inventiveness, the film's relentless pace and repetition (such as multiple slow-motion hero introductions) detracts from the overall impact.
• 😀 The soundtrack, composed by Devi Sri Prasad, lacks the magic of the first film, with the background score failing to recapture its former success.
• 😀 The portrayal of a female character in Pushpa 2 is problematic, as her storyline seems underwritten and plays into outdated, crude tropes for the hero's character arc.
• 😀 Pushpa's invincibility is stretched to the extreme in the film's later action scenes, with his physical abilities defying logic, which may come off as borderline ridiculous.
• 😀 Despite the film's flaws, Allu Arjun's performance in the action-packed Jatra sequence is exceptional, and the audience is left eager for the next film in the series.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Pushpa's character in the film?

Pushpa's character is primarily driven by a quest for respect and legitimacy, which he has been denied since childhood. Despite gaining power and money, it is this need for recognition that motivates him more than material wealth.

How does Pushpa's personality evolve throughout the film?

Pushpa evolves from a marginalized daily wage laborer into the head of a powerful sandalwood smuggling syndicate. His journey involves gaining power, outsmarting enemies, and striving for personal respect and legitimacy, which leads him to both heroic and morally questionable actions.

How is the relationship between Pushpa and his wife Shivali portrayed?

The relationship between Pushpa and Shivali is complex. Pushpa, despite his tough exterior, shows vulnerability and affection towards her, exemplified by a scene where he kisses her foot. This humanizes his character and contrasts with his fearsome public persona.

What role does Fahad Faasil's character, Bhavar Singh Shakawat, play in Pushpa 2?

Bhavar Singh Shakawat, introduced late in the film, serves as a formidable antagonist to Pushpa. He brings tension and excitement to the second half of the movie, with intense sequences that highlight his character's dangerous nature.

What are the key strengths and weaknesses of Pushpa 2 as mentioned in the review?

The strengths of Pushpa 2 include its high-energy action sequences, emotional moments, and the strong performances, especially from Allu Arjun. The film's weaknesses include its excessive length, repetitive elements, and a weak subplot involving a female character, which is criticized for its unnecessary crude portrayal of sexual assault.

What impact does Sukumar's direction have on Pushpa 2?

Sukumar’s direction in Pushpa 2 is ambitious, with inventive and surprising sequences that keep the audience engaged. However, his focus on pushing the narrative into 'maximum mode' results in a film that sometimes feels overstretched and repetitive, especially in its later parts.

How does the film balance emotional depth and action?

Pushpa 2 balances emotional depth and action by blending intense, action-packed sequences with quieter moments that explore the characters’ relationships and motivations. For instance, despite the violent nature of Pushpa, the film includes moments that reveal his vulnerabilities and desires.

What is the significance of the soundtrack and score in Pushpa 2?

The soundtrack, composed by Devi Sri Prasad (DSP), amplifies the action, with a background score that heightens the tension and drama. While the songs in the film are not as memorable as in the first film, the score helps to maintain the intensity of the action sequences.

How does Pushpa 2 compare to its predecessor in terms of character development and storytelling?

Pushpa 2 expands on the character development seen in the first film, particularly with the introduction of new characters like Bhavar Singh Shakawat. The story grows in scale, with Pushpa becoming an international figure. However, the storytelling at times becomes repetitive, with a focus on over-the-top action and a lack of narrative pauses.

What criticism does the film face regarding its portrayal of a female character?

The film faces criticism for its portrayal of a female character who is primarily used to further Pushpa’s character arc. She is portrayed as a victim of sexual assault in a crude and unnecessary manner, which detracts from the film's narrative and raises concerns about its treatment of women.