Pushpa 2 Review: The Rise of a Savage Empire

Pushpa 2 Review: The Rise of a Savage Empire

After the mammoth success of Pushpa: The Rise, it’s no surprise that writer-director B. Sukumar is doubling down on the same formula that worked wonders the first time around. Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2 continues where its predecessor left off, pushing Allu Arjun’s charismatic character and swagger to new extremes. But while the film goes all out to deliver more high-octane action, explosive drama, and unforgettable one-liners, it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its over-the-top ambitions.

From the very start, Sukumar’s sequel revels in its unapologetic grandeur, showing no sign of slowing down. But as the plot barrels forward, there’s a feeling that things might go off the rails. Pushpa: The Rule delivers an intoxicating mix of high drama and action but ventures into absurdly exaggerated territory. The spectacle is undeniable, but the film sometimes loses its grip on logic, sacrificing subtlety for the sake of spectacle and pushing the boundaries of believability.

Sukumar’s screenplay, along with Allu Arjun’s crowd-pleasing mannerisms and Fahadh Faasil’s magnetic presence as the villainous cop Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, attempts to recreate the magic of Pushpa: The Rise. While some moments succeed in spades, others feel more like a forced attempt to further push the protagonist’s aura of invincibility. At times, it’s as if the film is so desperate to keep the momentum going that it becomes a victim of its indulgence.

The film’s first half lurches from one explosive sequence to the next, with Pushpa’s ever-expanding crime empire at the centre. Allu Arjun’s Pushpa is now a crime lord with a sprawling network that stretches beyond India, as he strikes deals in Dubai and further cements his dominance in the underworld. But no matter how big his empire gets, he’s always the exact indomitable figure—a criminal who takes on multiple adversaries without breaking a sweat. The plot throws every obstacle at him—corrupt cops, rival smugglers, political conspiracies—but nothing can genuinely shake Pushpa’s invincible reign.

While the film tries to add layers by diving into Pushpa’s personal life and focusing on his relationship with his wife, Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna), it often feels like filler. Pushpa may be a loving husband, but the character’s emotional depth takes a backseat to his relentless pursuit of power. The action sequences—especially those featuring Pushpa single-handedly obliterating his enemies—are jaw-dropping. If you loved the first film’s intensity, Pushpa: The Rule gives you more of the same but with higher stakes.

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Fahadh Faasil’s Shekhawat, now more present than ever, plays a cat-and-mouse game with Pushpa that builds tension, but the real drama unfolds when Pushpa’s empire comes under threat from all sides. A significant subplot involving Pushpa’s strained relationship with his half-brother Molleti Mohan Raj (Ajay) takes the film into a more personal realm, though it feels like an afterthought in the larger-than-life narrative. As the story hurtles toward its climax, Pushpa’s journey becomes more about personal vendettas than his battle against the system.

Visually, Pushpa: The Rule is a feast. Cinematographer Miroslaw Kuba Brozek once again brings the film’s world to life with stunning visuals, while the action choreography is as brutal and intense as ever. But despite the film’s technical brilliance, the story needs to improve its pacing. The film’s sprawling runtime (nearly 200 minutes) drags in places, and the spectacle begins to feel like it’s wearing out its welcome.

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The most outlandish moment comes when Pushpa dresses in a sari in a bizarre but visually striking sequence to invoke Goddess Kali’s blessings. This over-the-top display is yet another attempt to build Pushpa as a near-mythical figure, but it’s also a nod to the film’s obsession with power and masculinity. And while the action in the climax—featuring Pushpa in full goddess mode—delivers a satisfying end to the film, there’s no escaping the feeling that the film is setting up for more.

Ultimately, Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2 is a relentless ride that sometimes drowns in its excess. While it successfully delivers what audiences expect from the franchise—more significant action, higher stakes, and more Pushpa swagger—its overblown ambition occasionally leaves the story too long and thin. But for fans of the first film, this sequel is pure cinematic adrenaline, albeit with a few bumps. And with Pushpa: The Rampage is already on the horizon, but one thing’s for sure: Pushpa is just getting started.