Produced by – Mythri Movie Makers
Directed by – Sukumar
Cast – Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil, Rashmika Mandanna, Rao Ramesh, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, Naren, Mime Gopi etc
Censor Rating -U/A
Running Time – 200 Minutes
Rating – ***1/2
Following a successful run at the box office, when a flick follows it with a sequel, expectations soar sky high and it is a matter of huge responsibility being placed on the shoulders of both the filmmaker and the lead actor (Sukumar and Allu Arjun respectively) and in that count, both of them have delivered more than what is expected of them thereby surpassing all expectations!
With a thunderous opening sequence that is set in the soil of Japan, the curtain raiser kind of action block arranged within the confines of the port sets the tone for a swashbuckling mass masala entertainer that engulfs the arenas of onemanupship of an individual who rises like a phoenix, his fight with his inner demons, support from his family and friends, especially his better half who stands by him not only when he triumphs but also when he is on a low ebb, his snuggling activities, nexus with the powers that be, family sentiments, so on and so forth…
Allu Arjun has in fact raised the bar here, performance wise, and walks tall right through the proceedings. Her unwanted exposures apart, her body gyrations alongside Allu Arjun in the routine dance and song routines strictly aimed at the gallery, Rashmika still manages to sizzle in the emotional scenes as well.
Fahadh Faasil is good but should he have been presented as a buffoon at times, most of the times which lowers the dignity of his characterization that cares more for self respect than anything else, money included!
Yet, he creates a flutter.
Rao Ramesh is good as the opportunistic politician who derives both power and money from his smuggler-friend, who even manages to make him the
C. M. of the State from being a mere Minister!
The film has very many USP-brilliant cinematography by Miroslaw Kuba Broek and the upbeat music by Devi Sri Prasad and additional background score by Sam C. S.
The story is nothing noteworthy as it is only an extension of what was deliberated upon in the first installment where a smart smuggler with fist, money and man power, truimphing over the Law and every time in the battle, it is he who emerges the winner!
It is the same here too.
While the previous part ended with the crossing of swords between All Arjun the all powerful smuggler and a high ranking police officer, Fahadh Faasil who cares both for self respect and money while attaching more importance to the former!
The way in which his character gets wrapped up in the flames of fire could have been thought out and executed better!
The scene where Allu Arjun decides to change the C. M. when the present C. M. refuses a photo opportunity stands out high but the same cannot be said of the scene where Allu Arjun pees in a pool after pushing Fahadh Faasil into it which is distasteful while also being unmanly for a bigwig of his calibre!
In all, the film works out big time with big thinking, big production values and big time performances, especially by Allu Arjun, more specifically in the Jatara sequence that has been canned in a mild boggling manner!
Undoubtedly, Pushpa has become a big brand and there cannot be any second opinion about that!
The film ends with a mention about the third part which would evidently be a big display of rampage as suggested by its title!