In another example of 'Pushpa' being the most popular Telugu film in the Hindi heartland since 'Baahubali', Defence Minister Rajnath Singh himself has made a reference to a punchline from the Allu Arjun-starrer while speaking in an election rally in Uttarakhand. The BJP leader paraphrased the punchline wherein Pushpa Raj calls himself fire and not flower.

The remark was made in support of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the BJP leader. Rajnath Singh, who borrowed the punchline from the Hindi version of the Sukumar directorial, said, "Congress ne Pushkar naam sunkar flower samjha (Congress has assumed that Pushkar Singh Dhami is just like a flower). But he is both a flower and fire." Elections are due to be held in Uttarakhand later this month.

'Pushpa', produced by Mythri Movie Makers, has successfully netted Rs 100 Cr in Hindi. 'Pushpa 2', also starring the main cast and crew from the first part (barring Shatru and a couple of others), will be shot from March. It will hit the screens in the second half of this year.