Pushpa 2: The Rule review: A massive insult to intelligence and 'peelings'

Before diving into my thoughts on Pushpa 2: The Rule, I want to point out that even though I had some issues with certain creative decisions in Pushpa: The Rise, I still found it to be quite enjoyable. In fact, when Allu Arjun received the National Award for Best Actor for his role—an accolade that sparked quite a debate among film enthusiasts—I stood by it. He truly utilized his physicality in a way that made his performance stand out, which is no simple feat. As for the debate on whether actors in masala films deserve recognition, I say absolutely!

With this background and considering Fahadh Faasil's involvement, it’s clear that I approached Pushpa 2: The Rule with high hopes. For the first two hours of the film, it seemed to be meeting those expectations pretty well. In fact, I believe the storytelling in this segment is a significant upgrade from the first movie. Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil really shine, bringing their unique energy and charm to the screen, skillfully balancing moments of seriousness with humor.

I really appreciated how, in the initial parts of the story, Sukumar allowed enough space for the serious moments to breathe without overdoing the humor. He chose to bring in the jokes at just the right times. I also noticed that Allu Arjun's character and mannerisms somewhat reminded me of the legendary gangster roles that Mohanlal played in the 80s and early 90s in Malayalam cinema, particularly in films like Spadikam and Rajavinte Makan. Given that both Pushpa movies explore themes of power struggles and political maneuvering, there were a few scenes that brought The Godfather films to mind, such as when a politician, despite being backed by Pushparaj, declines to see him as an ally or take a photo together.

However, it appears that Sukumar and his team stumbled when it came to crafting the final hour of the movie, especially in the concluding moments. At this point, the film seems to lose its creative spark and falls into a frustrating decline, undermining all that was previously established. The scenarios become so far-fetched—even for those who are willing to suspend their disbelief—that I, along with others around me, found ourselves shifting uneasily in our seats and making noises typically linked to restlessness.

Watching the final act felt like arriving at a hotel that promises a warm bath but forces you to take a cold shower instead, only to cut off the water completely while you're still soapy. I really hoped the creators had redirected the effort and time spent on those odd songs into creating more imaginative and original scenarios for the characters, rather than relying on tired clichés.

This is the second film this year—following Amal Neerad's Bougainvillea—that treats Fahadh Faasil's character poorly. I was really let down by how they concluded his storyline. When the movie takes an unexpected turn in the third act, rehashing familiar themes we've seen far too often in South Indian cinema, like using a woman's dignity to boost the heroism of Pushparaj, along with uninspired songs and Rashmika's mostly lackluster performance, you can feel the energy fading. The last hour of the film feels like a well-shot but poorly written and acted soap opera. I came out of the theater feeling both confused and angry.

Film: Pushpa 2: The Rule

Cast: Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil, Rashmika Mandanna, Sunil