'Pushpa' hit the screens today. In this section, we are going to review the latest box-office release.
Story:
Pushpa Raj is not just another coolie transporting logs of red sandalwood in a lorry through the thick Seshachalam Forest. He aims big and, as a character says, he has a leader in him. He gets into the good books of Konda Reddy and eventually goes on to challenge the big fish Mangalam Srinu, the leader of the smuggling syndicate. As the hero rubs everyone on the wrong side, he is sentimental about his mother and Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna), his girlfriend.
Meanwhile, Inspector Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) swoops down to teach him a lesson. What happens next is to be watched in 'Pushpa: The Rule', which is the second edition of the movie.
Analysis:
Writer-director Sukumar's core strength has been the characterization of the male protagonist. In 'Rangasthalam', a lot of scenes worked only because of Chitti Babu's artless nature. Sukumar's heroes have always been endearing. They also invite our sympathy, especially if you are talking about Mahesh Babu's character in '1: Nenokkadine'. In 'Pushpa', too, the hero comes with a broken childhood. This aspect informs his fragility even after he becomes a syndicate leader.
Bunny picks up the character's quirks and attitude with ease. His performance is the film's soul, making several mundane moments look outstanding. The actor's performance graph rises as the stakes increase. Therefore, his best comes in the climax. Fahadh Faasil is barely there till the third act. Sunil and Ajay Ghosh, between them, make for watchable villains who are taken aback by Pushpa's wild moves.
The film benefits from makeovers. Sunil resolves to look extremely mean-spirited, while Ajay Ghosh mouths ordinary lines with impact. Srikanth Vissa's lines gather heft in the second half.
The rom-com track is not without regular ideas. But it is the arc of the track that deserves mention. Since there is going to be a second part and Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna is superb) might have a say in the ego clashes between Pushpa and Shekawath, it's not over until it is over. One feels the song 'Saami Saami' and 'Srivalli' could have benefited a more sincere picturization.
Samantha's presence in 'Oo Antava' is alright, while the placement of the song could have been where 'Saami Saami' stands (that's what happens in most commercial masala films). Devi Sri Prasad's dashing music is milked well by the choreographers, who make the Icon Star rev up the mood.
The film is a theatre experience, with the wide-angle shots by Miroslaw Kuba Brozek taking the cake. The production design is aided by art directors S Rama Krishna and Monica. Resul Pookutty's sound design is not extraordinary, though.
Shatru's Govindappa is an extension of what we have seen in the trailer. Dhananjaya's Jolly Reddy is mean, while the episode where Pushpa saves the day by pulling off a subterfuge involving hundreds of tonnes of red sandalwood is brilliant on paper.
The fights are by Peter Heins and the Ram-Lakshman duo. It seems the scale of the action blocs will be perked up in the next part. Here, the action scenes are adequate.
Verdict:
'Pushpa: The Rise' hits the bull's eye. Allu Arjun's flawless acting, Sukumar's Midas Touch, and the span of the story make it worth a watch.
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