Pushpa 2
Pushpa 2: The Rule is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Sukumar and produced by Mythri Movie Makers in association with Sukumar Writings. A sequel to Pushpa: The Rise (2021), it is the second installment in the Pushpa film series.
The film stars Allu Arjun in the titular role, alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, and Rao Ramesh. It follows Pushpa Raj, a labourer-turned-red sandalwood smuggler, as he faces growing threats from his enemies, including SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat.
In December 2021, just before the first movie came out, the sequel was officially announced under the name Pushpa 2. It was later rebranded as Pushpa 2: The Rule in August 2022. Even though a portion of the movie was originally shot simultaneously with the first one, director Sukumar changed the plot and started shooting in October 2022.
Devi Sri Prasad composed the soundtrack, Miroslaw Kuba Broek shot the film, and Naveen Nooli edited it. It is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made, costing between 400 and 500 crore rupees to produce.
It is also one of the longest Indian films, running between 200 and 224 minutes. To favorable reviews from critics, Pushpa 2: The Rule was released worldwide on December 5, 2024, in standard, IMAX, 4DX, D-Box, and PVR ICE formats.
The film broke a number of records at the box office, earning over 1,642 crore (US$190 million). It was also the highest-grossing Indian film of the year, the second-highest Telugu film, and the third-highest Indian film worldwide.
Plot
Workers in the Yokohama port in Japan are shocked to discover Pushpa hidden inside one of the containers when a shipment of red sandalwood arrives. He attacks them and asks for money for the load, but he gets shot, falls into the water, and a flashback occurs.
After humiliating SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, Pushpa rises to power as a respected smuggler, while Shekhawat goes into hiding. Shekhawat steals a huge shipment of sandalwood by going undercover as a laborer. In the meantime, Pushpa meets Narasimha Reddy, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, but he refuses to take a picture with her to avoid political backlash.
Offended, Pushpa vows to overthrow the government by appointing Siddappa as chief minister and to raise 500 crore rupees through the smuggling of sandalwood. Pushpa negotiates a price for 2,000 tons of sandalwood with Central Minister Kogatam Veera Pratap Reddy and meets international buyer Hameed in the Maldives.
There are a number of smugglers who join Pushpa’s syndicate, but Mangalam Srinu, Dakshayani, and Shekhawat plan to stop the operation. One of the members of the syndicate is killed by Shekhawat, which frightens the others and prompts Pushpa to hand over leadership to Srinu.
Later, Siddappa asks Pushpa to apologize to Shekhawat at a meeting in an effort to put an end to their rivalry. However, Shekhawat swears to capture every shipment of red sandalwood after Pushpa again brutally disrespects him for being a corrupt cop. Pushpa, however, manages to use his tricks and ways to smuggle the sandalwood to Chennai until its final destination in Sri Lanka.
Shekhawat catches up with the transport and shoots down all of the trucks, forcing the drivers to flee. The media praises Shekhawat for the raid, but Srinu realizes that the cargo was Sandra, a wood that has no market value but resembles red sandalwood. Instead, Pushpa had loaded the actual load onto bullock carts and transported it to Chennai with Shekhawat’s indirect assistance.
Shekhawat works on locating Pushpa’s original shipment and asks Srinu to procure one tonne of genuine red sandalwood in order to deceive the Examination Committee. The members of the syndicate are frightened when it is revealed in the news that the shipment that was seized contained genuine sandalwood. Later, they hold a meeting where everyone questions Pushpa about the whereabouts of the original consignment.
Pushpa makes sure it’s safe and only tells Jakka Reddy where the load is. Meanwhile, Srivalli discovers she is pregnant, and Pushpa celebrates. However, tragedy strikes when Bugga Reddy and his gang assault his niece Kaveri during the Jathara festival. They are humiliated, beaten, and sent back by Pushpa.
Shekhawat eventually obtains permission and manages to track the consignment to Rameswaram as he had spied on Jakka Reddy but fails to capture it before it crosses the Indian-Sri Lankan border. However, Hameed’s gang is caught by the police and while fleeing, Hameed’s car rollsover, in which Jakka Reddy is killed and Hameed is gravely injured.
He tells Shekhawat that Pushpa was going to get the money through hawala and that the sandalwood was going to Japan. Hameed was the only person who knew the name of the Japanese broker who would make sure the money got to Pushpa. But before he could tell Hameed, Shekhawat killed him.
Shekhawat then eventually breaks the connection between Pushpa, the original consignment, and Japan. To obtain the money for the consignment, Pushpa prepares to travel to Japan by stowing away in a ship container, whereupon reaching the Yokohama Port, he fights the yakuza, bringing the story back to the beginning of the film.
As Pushpa is shot and falls in the sea, he emerges back, and proves to the Japanese boss, Hiroshi, that he is the owner of the sandalwood consignment. Eventually, Hiroshi delivers the money to Pushpa and asks him to deal with him directly in the future, thus removing all the brokers and enhancing the partnership between India and Japan.
As promised, Pushpa uses the funds to appoint Siddappa as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He then goes to Jaali Reddy’s house to grieve Jakka Reddy’s passing. Pushpa tries to negotiate with Jaali, however, the later ignores him and continues their rivalry. Shekhawat is furious because he was going to be found out for catching fake sandalwood.
As the storage site burns, he appears to kill himself. Tragically, Kaveri is kidnapped and assaulted by Bugga Reddy, who wanted vengeance for his humiliation at the Jathara festival, as Pushpa, Siddappa, and his gang celebrate. Later, it is revealed that Bugga Reddy is the nephew of Minister Veera Pratap Reddy, who tries to negotiate with Pushpa to leave Bugga alone.
However, after rescuing Kaveri from a raged Pushpa, he brutally kills Bugga, his gang, Subba Reddy, Bugga’s father, and Pratap Reddy, his younger brother. Pratap Reddy, Srinu, Dakshayani, Jaali Reddy, Murugan, and the others swear vengeance on Pushpa at their funeral. Because he was not present at the funeral, Pratap Reddy then inquires about a significant but enigmatic individual.
Pushpa’s elder brother, Mohan, later apologises to Pushpa and his family for all the mistreatment he caused and invites them to Kaveri’s wedding, accepting them wholly as his family. At Kaveri’s wedding, the enigmatic figure detonates a bomb as Pushpa makes amends with his family.
Cast
Credit – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushpa_2:_The_Rule#Cast
- Allu Arjun as Molleti Pushpa Raj
- Master Dhruvan as Young Molleti Pushpa Raj
- Master Dhruvan as Young Molleti Pushpa Raj
- Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli, Pushpa’s wife
- Fahadh Faasil as SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat IPS
- Jagapathi Babu as Central Minister Kogatam Veera Pratap Reddy
- Sunil as Mangalam Srinu
- Rao Ramesh as Bhumireddy Siddappa Naidu, MP later CM
- Dhananjaya as Jaali Reddy
- Brahmaji as Sub-Inspector Kupparaj
- Ajay as Molleti Mohan Rao, Pushpa’s elder half-brother
- Aadukalam Naren as KVM Narasimha Reddy, CM later Former CM
- Anasuya Bharadwaj as Dakshayani “Daksha”, Mangalam Srinu’s wife
- Kalpa Latha as Parvatamma, Pushpa’s mother
- Adithya Menon as Kogatam Subba Reddy, Pratap Reddy’s younger brother and Bugga Reddy’s father
- Tarak Ponnappa as Kogatam Bugga Reddy, Pratap Reddy’s nephew
Saurabh Sachdeva as Hameed- Satya as Japanese translator
- Shanmukh as Jakka Reddy
- Muralidhar Goud as Syndicate member
- Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari as Kesava “Mondelu”, Pushpa’s friend
- Pavani Karanam as Molleti Kaveri, Pushpa’s niece and Mohan’s daughter
- Bindu Chandramouli as Kaveri’s mother and Mohan’s wife
- Dayanand Reddy as Muniratnam, Srivalli’s father
- Mime Gopi as Chennai Murugan
- Sritej as Molleti Krishna Rao, Pushpa’s second elder half-brother
- Divi Vadthya as Minnu Uma Devi, a TV Reporter
- Aanchal Munjal as Hameed’s girlfriend
- Vithaya Pansringarm as Don Hiroshi
- Killi Kranthi as Bugga’s henchmen
- Sreeleela (special appearance in the item number “Kissik“)
Our General Review
Alright, buckle up, folks, because I’m about to take you on a wild, sandalwood-smuggling, ego-bruising, Allu Arjun-fueled rollercoaster ride through the jungle of Pushpa 2: The Rule. This movie is like a spicy biryani with too many ingredients—some bits are delicious, some make you question your life choices, and by the end, you’re stuffed, sweaty, and wondering if you need a nap or a life coach. Let’s dive into this 3-hour-20-minute Telugu blockbuster with the enthusiasm of Pushpa Raj himself, minus the machete and the questionable beard-stroking habit.
First off, let’s talk about Allu Arjun, the man, the myth, the shoulder-tilting legend. If Pushpa: The Rise was him climbing the smuggling syndicate ladder, Pushpa 2 is him basically moonwalking on the ceiling while juggling flaming torches. This guy doesn’t just act; he possesses the screen like a sandalwood-scented demon. His character, Pushpa Raj, is now a full-blown crime lord, strutting around like he owns the Chittoor forest and possibly the laws of physics.
The movie kicks off with him popping out of a container in Japan—yes, Japan, because why not?—and beating up goons like he’s auditioning for a John Wick cameo. Oh, and surprise, it’s a dream sequence! Because nothing says “epic sequel” like a 10-minute fake-out that leaves you wondering if the writers were just flexing their CGI budget. Allu’s performance is so electric, though, you forgive the randomness.
His slanted shoulders, his pan-chewing swagger, his ability to make a lungi look like high fashion—it’s all here, and it’s glorious. He’s not just a star; he’s a supernova with a side of sass, delivering lines like “Pushpa nahi jhukega!” with the conviction of a man who’s never lost an argument, even with his wife.
Speaking of his wife, let’s talk about Srivalli, played by Rashmika Mandanna, who’s basically the human equivalent of a firecracker wrapped in a saree. She’s feisty, she’s fierce, and she’s not afraid to drag Pushpa into the bedroom for some “Peelings” (yes, that’s the song title, and yes, it’s as gloriously unhinged as it sounds).
Their chemistry is like a spicy rom-com stuffed into an action flick—think Romeo and Juliet, but with more sandalwood and fewer tragic endings. Rashmika gets some solid moments, like when she gives a monologue that’s so clap-worthy you’ll want to stand up in the theater and cheer, but the script does her dirty by reducing her to a cheerleader in parts. Like, come on, Sukumar, give the lady more to do than gaze adoringly at her husband or dodge goons! Srivalli deserves her own smuggling empire, not just a catchy dance number.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the ego in the forest: Fahadh Faasil as Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, the cop who’s supposed to be Pushpa’s nemesis but ends up looking like he wandered into the wrong movie.
Fahadh is a phenomenal actor, but here, his character is less “ruthless villain” and more “guy who’s really mad he didn’t get invited to Pushpa’s barbecue.” Shekhawat’s big plan involves a lot of sneering, some truly bizarre disguises (laborer chic, anyone?), and a vendetta that feels like it was scribbled on a napkin during lunch.
The fans on X were not kidding when they called him a “clown-level character”—sorry, Fahadh, you deserved better than this cartoonish arc. The showdowns between him and Pushpa are supposed to be epic, but they’re more like watching a lion swat at a particularly annoying mosquito. By the time the climax rolls around, you’re half-expecting Shekhawat to just give up and open a tea stall.
The plot? Oh, honey, it’s like a soap opera had a baby with a Michael Bay movie and then forgot to give it a map. Pushpa’s now running his smuggling empire, dodging cops, politicians, and his own family drama, all while trying to ship red sandalwood to places like Sri Lanka and Dubai.
There’s a whole bit about him outsmarting Shekhawat by swapping sandalwood for some random wood called Sandra—yes, Sandra, because apparently even the trees in this movie have stage names. Then there’s a subplot about Pushpa’s niece getting kidnapped, which drags on so long you start wondering if the goons are just bad at their job.
And don’t get me started on the political maneuvering with characters like Siddappa (Rao Ramesh) and Pratap Reddy (Jagapathi Babu), who pop up to add intrigue but mostly just stand around looking important. The story feels like it’s trying to juggle 17 plates while riding a unicycle, and half the plates just crash spectacularly.
But let’s be real: you’re not here for the plot. You’re here for the vibes, and Pushpa 2 delivers those in spades. The Jathara sequence, where Pushpa transforms into a goddess to wreak havoc on some truly despicable goons, is the kind of cinematic insanity that makes you want to high-five the entire theater.
Allu Arjun in a saree, swinging a pallu like it’s a weapon, is peak “I didn’t know I needed this” energy. The action scenes are so over-the-top they make gravity cry—Pushpa fights dozens of guys with his hands and feet tied, using his teeth as a weapon.
His teeth! I’m pretty sure he could defeat Thanos with a toothbrush at this point. The cinematography by Mirosław Kuba Brożek is stunning, turning every forest chase into a painting and every fight into a dance. The background score (shoutout to Devi Sri Prasad and Sam C.S.) is like a shot of adrenaline, though the songs—aside from “Peelings” and “Sooseki”—aren’t quite as iconic as “Oo Antava” from the first film. Still, they’re catchy enough to have you humming on your way out.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room (yes, another one): the treatment of women. For a movie that tries to flex its progressive muscles—Pushpa’s all about respecting women, right?—it sure loves putting them in distress. The kidnapping subplot leans hard into the “woman in peril” trope, and it’s so drawn-out you can feel the 90s calling to take their cliché back. Srivalli gets sexualized at every turn, which feels jarring when the movie’s also trying to sell her as Pushpa’s equal.
And don’t even get me started on the random female character who exists just to move Pushpa’s arc forward—she’s basically a plot device with a pulse. Sukumar, buddy, it’s 2025. Let’s retire the damsel-in-distress bit and give the ladies some machetes of their own, yeah?
The pacing is another wild card. The first half is a breathless sprint, packed with so much drama, action, and Pushpa-isms that you barely notice you’re an hour and a half in. But the second half? It’s like the movie ate too much biryani and decided to take a leisurely stroll. Scenes linger longer than your uncle at a family reunion, and the climax—while emotional—feels like it’s trying to tie up loose ends with duct tape.
The runtime is a whopping 200 minutes, and while it’s never boring, you might find yourself checking your watch and wondering if you accidentally signed up for a double feature. Some folks on Reddit called it “filler-heavy,” and they’re not wrong—there’s a whole bit about Pushpa refusing to apologize that’s funny but feels like it belongs in a sitcom, not a crime epic.
Despite its flaws, Pushpa 2 is a blast if you’re in the mood for a larger-than-life spectacle. It’s not as tight or grounded as the first film, which had a scrappy charm that made Pushpa’s rise feel personal. This sequel’s too busy being a “pan-Indian” blockbuster, throwing in international locales and helicopter purchases like it’s trying to impress a global audience. But when it leans into its weirdness—like Pushpa casually offering to replace a Chief Minister or peeing in a pool to spite Shekhawat—it’s pure, unfiltered entertainment.
Allu Arjun carries the whole thing on his tilted shoulders, and his fans will lose their minds over every slow-mo walk and fiery dialogue. The box office numbers don’t lie—this thing’s grossed over ₹1,642 crore, making it India’s biggest hit of 2024. Even the stampede at its premiere (tragic as it was) proves people were that hyped.
So, what’s the verdict? Pushpa 2: The Rule is like a fireworks show set to a killer soundtrack—dazzling, chaotic, and occasionally excessive. It’s got the heart of a masala movie, the swagger of a superstar, and the narrative focus of a toddler on a sugar high. If you loved the first film, you’ll probably eat this up, even if it’s not quite as fresh. If you’re new to the Pushpa universe, bring some popcorn, lower your expectations for logic, and enjoy the ride.
Just don’t expect a coherent story or a villain who’s more than a punching bag. As for me, I’m already curious about Pushpa 3: The Rampage, because if this is Pushpa ruling, I can’t wait to see him go full Godzilla. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to practice my beard-stroking and maybe smuggle some sandalwood. Or, you know, just take a nap.