Pushpa 2 The Rule movie review: Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil film chokes under the weight of performance pressure

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The verse from the title song, “Anni unna Pushpa ki paapam konni levanta” (Pushpa has everything, except a few), perfectly encapsulates the essence of the movie. However, while the song suggests that fear, sadness and equally powerful rivals are the only things Pushpa (Allu Arjun) lacks, the character — and the movie — indeed lack quite a few more things. Yes, it has almost everything that the first part does; but the movie occasionally does give off the feeling of being inadequate. And if you ask whether it offers anything more than the prequel, the answer would be no, despite the sequel’s larger scale. Don’t get me wrong, the film does have bigger action sequences, more moments crafted for mass appeal and even more fiery dialogues. But when it comes to offering greater depth or being as engaging and memorable as the first instalment, it doesn’t quite measure up.

While Pushpa 2 is undeniably better than most capsule “pan-Indian” films, it too suffers from overreaching. From the outset, Sukumar emphasises that this instalment is bigger than its predecessor. However, his efforts often feel forced, as these grand elements aren’t smoothly integrated into the narrative. Now that Pushpa has achieved “pan-Indian” status, Sukumar introduces gimmicks to make him and the movie appear “international” — like a fight in a Japanese port, Pushpa casually buying a helicopter in Dubai and him crossing international borders to Sri Lanka with no hassle. While the original film felt natural and rooted, Pushpa 2 frequently overextends itself and this ambition often works against it. Sukumar struggles to blend these extravagant moments with the grounded storytelling that defined the first film, making the sequel’s overambitious nature its greatest drawback.

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One of the most compelling aspects of Pushpa was how relatable the character was. Pushpa wasn’t a superhuman-ish person like Rocky Bhai, Salaar or Baahubali. Instead, he was grounded — a layered, multifaceted character with human flaws and depth. In The Rise, this relatability added richness to his persona; however, in Pushpa: The Rule, he is burdened by the expectation of being a brand, which flattens the character into a one-dimensional figure. While the narrative initially sets up an intriguing clash of titans between Pushpa and SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat IPS (Fahadh Faasil), teasing a massive showdown at the end, this promising rivalry ends up being inadequate as the film’s focus meanders. The exploration of male ego — so integral to The Rise — is once again portrayed effectively here, largely due to the stellar performances and electrifying chemistry between Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil as they shine as two equally unhinged psychos capable of going to any lengths.

Unfortunately, the equation between Pushpa and his now-wife Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna) remains awkwardly cringeworthy. While the film deserves credit for showcasing a woman openly expressing her sexual desires — breaking away from traditional norms — it simultaneously undermines this progress by hypersexualising Srivalli, which becomes increasingly grating. Although Rashmika has fewer moments to shine, she delivers well in scenes requiring restraint but often feels cartoonish in more dramatic instances. Also, after being paired with Pushpa in the eponymous film, Ranvijay Balbir Singh in Animal, Vijay in Varisu, Major Ajay Krishna in Sarileru Neekevvaru, Bobby in Dear Comrade and Vijay Govind in Geetha Govindam — it’s hard not to wonder when she’ll finally be cast opposite a character who isn’t unnervingly eccentric.

Director Sukumar’s Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun, is the latest example of a film that has faltered under the weight of performance pressure and towering expectations.

The film’s excessive runtime is another major drawback. At over 200 minutes, the story often feels padded, with little meaningful elements to sustain the length. When Pushpa and Shekhawat aren’t facing off, the narrative slows considerably, relying on repetitive dialogue exchanges to fill gaps. While moments like the interval block, the cops’ sandalwood chase through a river and the silent gestural communication between Pushpa and Shekhawat are impressive, these such instances are few and far between, buried under a surplus of unnecessary fillers. What makes this even more frustrating is that the film ends with the announcement of another sequel, leaving one to question why this instalment needed to be so long in the first place.

The narrative’s rare saving grace lies in moments where Pushpa’s vulnerability shines through. What sets him apart from other “pan-Indian” heroes is that he is inherently a “flower”. He doesn’t need to proclaim that “a mother is the greatest warrior in the world” to express his love for his mother; his actions speak for themselves. Nor does he shy away from his emotions. After a touching moment with his half-brother Molleti Mohan Raj (Ajay), Pushpa breaks down and melts into Srivalli’s arms, surrounded by the women in his household, including his mother. In one of the most visually striking sequences in the film, Pushpa is dressed as Goddess Kali, draped in a saree, exuding a powerful blend of compassion, fury and fearlessness. This meticulously choreographed sequence, rich with emotion and action, stands out as a rare triumph in an otherwise uneven narrative.

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Throughout the film, Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil constantly strive to outdo each other, delivering outstanding performances without any dip in quality. Devi Sri Prasad’s background score and OST, amplified by Chandrabose’s lyrics, along with Miroslaw Kuba Brozek’s cinematography, are undoubtedly the movie’s greatest technical strengths. Sukumar’s remarkable skill in crafting such an epic film without relying on cameo appearances from other stars deserves recognition. His unwavering belief in the world of Pushpa played a crucial role in this, though it could have been even more impactful had he not given in to the pressures of making it “pan-Indian” just for the sake of it, announcing another sequel which ended up leaving this movie incomplete. Nevertheless, it’s Sukumar’s world and we are all just living in it. The simplest and shortest review of Pushpa 2 would be: “Sarvam Pushpa Mayam.”

Pushpa 2 The Rule movie cast: Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil, Rashmika Mandanna, Rao Ramesh, Sreeleela, Anasuya Bharadwaj
Pushpa 2 The Rule movie director: Sukumar
Pushpa 2 The Rule movie rating: 2.5 stars