Pushpa, I hate tears

Pushpa, I hate tears : My quick take on movie “Pushpa 2” (theatrical release)

I’m late. Very late. By now, even your neighborhood paanwala has reviewed Pushpa 2. Why the delay? Well, I was busy enjoying the pristine vistas of Mount Fuji in Japan, pondering life, logic, and why sequels tend to defy both. Little did i knew that i would be watching port of Yokohama, once again, this time on reel with Pushpa Bhai doing trapeze. Meanwhile, back home, Pushpa 2 had already burned through box office records, collecting over 2000 crores and leaving everyone scrambling for superlatives. “Blockbuster” feels inadequate—this is nothing short of a cinematic supernova.

Now, reviewing a movie of this magnitude feels downright foolish. Instead, I’ve tried to analyze what turned this fire into a raging wildfire. Let’s break it down:

The Sparks That Lit the Fire

1. The Emotive Ethos: The screenplay glorifies streeshakti (woman power) to such a degree that the film could’ve easily been called “Stree-Valli”. Srivalli’s presence may be understated, but the emotional weight she carries is what anchors the chaos.

2. Pace Like a Wildfire: At 200 minutes, the film blazes through without a single dull moment. No ‘pakaavu’ syndrome here—Pushpa grabs your attention and doesn’t let go, not even for a popcorn refill.

3. Dance Numbers: While slightly pale compared to Part 1’s iconic Oo Antava, the songs are seamlessly placed in the narrative. The beats will have you “theerak”-ing in your seat.

4. Absurd Yet Entertaining Action: The action choreography is a notch above Part 1, blending absurdity with awe. The climax, where Pushpa channels a “snake in the monkey’s shadow”—yes, literally—will leave you coiled in amazement. His slithering stunt redefines over-the-top action, putting even the 36th Chamber of Shaolin to shame.

5. Cultural Spectacle: The “Jatara” act is a visual and emotional high point, clearly inspired by Kantara. It’s a sequence that merges folklore with adrenaline, making it a standout moment.

The Missteps in the Blaze

Not everything is fireproof. The antagonist Shekhawat, teased in Part 1 as a “ख़ूँख़ार” (ferocious) villain, turns out to be more “goofy” than menacing. My favorite, Fahadh Faasil, deserved more screen time, but alas, he was sidelined. A missed opportunity, for sure.

Final Verdict

In the end, Pushpa 2 is pure paisa vasool entertainment—a carnival of chaos, action, and swag. The Hindi dubbing, led by Shreyas Talpade as Pushpa bhai, deserves special mention for its energy and humor. Watching it on the wide screens of Dubai theaters with family, I can proudly say I contributed to the 2000-crore kitty.

So, have you done your bit? Or are you still waiting to get swept up in this wildfire of cinematic absurdity? Either way, remember: Pushpa means Rule, and Rule means Pushpa. Deal with it till you get Pushpa, the rampage (P3)