The story of Pushpa is about a boy who grows up in a household full of hate, yet has a soft spot for his mother and his love interest, played by Rashmika Mandanna. However, despite all his wrongdoings, Pushpa’s swag makes the film an action-drama that will leave you glued to your seat. In fact, the movie mirrors many of the problems that plague South cinema. Firstly, the hero and the villain are constantly shown pursuing a girl, but a girl who is neither interested in them, and vice versa.
Secondly, the story is a little bland, even though the songs by Devi Sri Prasad are super hits. Despite that, the songs don’t have the same impact on screen. While the item song from the movie has been hyped to be a huge hit, it ends up coming in the first half. While the story has many places to improve, Sukumar’s direction is not watertight and does not give the story its full force.
Overall, Pushpa is a fine film that can be finished in one sitting, if you so desire. Its slow pace and clumsy pacing make it difficult to fully enjoy the story, but the performances are fantastic. And the cinematography is top notch, and Allu Arjun’s dialogue delivery is spot on. Rashmika Mandanna has a small role, but looks OK in her de-glam make-up. While Sunil and Fahadh Faasil have little to do in the first part, she brings her character to life in small ways that are still quite fascinating.
The second half of Pushpa is even better. The film finally reaches the 100 crore mark and is on its way to becoming the 25th Super-Duper Hit in Koimoi’s Most Profitable Films list. This list lists films that grossed at least 200% of their budgets. If the Hindi version breaks 100 crores in its first weekend, it could be on its way to crossing that barrier.
As the plot progresses, Pushpa joins Konda Reddy’s gang. His natural behaviors draw the attention of the cops and he attempts to expose the wrongdoings of the rulers. When Pushpa meets IPS official Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, she finds him distraught as well. Both of them try to help Pushpa, but in the end, they end up fighting each other.
The sequel is in the works, and Amazon Prime Video is expected to launch it in January 2023. Apparently, the movie’s makers have already spent a lot more than ‘Taggedele’ on Pushpa. While it’s hard to say how much more money they’ll spend on the sequel, the movie has plenty of positive elements. So, if you’re not a fan of rape movies, you’ll probably like this film.
The film is directed by Sukumar, the director of ‘Arya’ 2. While the film follows the original novel well, it does diverge from it in some areas. It depicts smuggling and the illegal trade in sandalwood in a convincing manner. The action-packed plot will keep you hooked to your seat! So, go ahead and watch Pushpa: The Rise.
