Pushpa 2 The Rule Movie Review: In recent years, Indian cinema has birthed a new genre: the "swag show." The formula is simple - cast a star, elevate their character to godlike status, and craft a screenplay that revolves entirely around their antics, all while amplifying their mass appeal. This approach reached new heights with KGF and its sequel, sparking a wave of imitators. Even Pushpa 2: The Rule couldn’t resist its lure. If you’re a die-hard Allu Arjun fan who cheers even when he sneezes, Sukumar's Pushpa 2: The Rule might work for you. But your devotion will be tested by a lacklustre screenplay and an exhausting runtime. ‘Pushpa 2 – The Rule’: Allu Arjun Faces Police Complaint After Calling Fans ‘Army’, Similar to K-Pop Group BTS’ Fandom Name.
In Pushpa 2: The Rule, Pushpa Raj (Allu Arjun) is no longer just fire; as he proudly proclaims, he’s now a wildfire. As a smuggling kingpin, he has enough power to clear out an entire police station in under an hour. Yet, at home, he submits meekly to the sexual cravings of his wife, Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna), while she worships him almost like a deity. Literally, at that.
Watch the Trailer of 'Pushpa 2 The Rule':
An ego-wounded Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) remains a thorn in Pushpa’s side, but Pushpa has bigger ambitions than dealing with a vengeful cop - he wants to control the entire state. While the journey has its intriguing moments, they aren’t enough to salvage the film.
'Pushpa 2: The Rule' Movie Review - Bigger Stakes, Shallower Impact
It’s now almost a given in Indian cinema: if the first instalment succeeds, the sequel’s scale and budget must balloon, even if the plot doesn’t demand it. Following the KGF playbook, if the first film is pakka local, the second must go global. Pushpa 2: The Rule establishes this with its opening scene, where Pushpa, after surviving 40 days in a container, battles sword-wielding Yakuza in Japan. It’s a spectacle meant to wow but strains credibility. When a bullet cuts short his heroics, the narrative abruptly moves on, never explaining how Pushpa escapes. PS: There is also a moment where Pushpa, the criminal and smuggler, spouts patriotism, and I was immediately reminded of a certain company executive who placed an Indian flag in the background while defending his company of alleged malpractices in a video.