THRILLING, THOUGHTFUL

Sukumar crafts a sequel that's as audacious as its protagonist, brimming with wild energy and unforgettable visuals. Yet, beneath the swagger and spectacle lies a film grappling with uneven writing and an ending that falters

- SUDHIR SRINIVASAN

HY do we like Pushparaj?

He doesn't care to look conventionally attractive. His shoulders are lop-sided, his hair unkempt, his speech brimming with contempt. His work? Smuggling red sanders. His retribution? A fierce defiance of systematic oppression, making him a figure of political utility. And his manner of retribution? Ruthless. As he says, he kills "without mercy." In this sequel, Pushpa seems almost possessed, his machete slicing through limbs as though they were branches from a tree.

Yet, beneath the raw, violent exterior, Pushpa 2: The Rule reminds us of the man's humanity. In Shreya Ghoshal's "Sooseki," Srivalli speaks tenderly of Pushpa's kindness, likening him to a child—gentle and loyal to those he loves. And we see this tenderness too. These glimpses into his heart add layers to his character, but what makes Pushparaj so magnetic isn't just his complexity—it's his authenticity. Pushpa has no patience for pretense, diplomacy, or double-speak.