Pushpa :  Starts promisingly, ends on a dull note

The end of 2021 finishes off with one of the highly anticipated movies from Allu Arjun and team. The film is heavily inspired by KGF; there is no denying the fact there. Does the movie need a second part? That is probably the most debated question. A gritty rugged smuggling story has Allu Arjun spearheading the narrative with little info on his background, but smashes his way into becoming the most powerful man. With a volley of villains breathing fire down his neck, the movie finishes off with a glimpse of what to expect in the second.

Allu Arjun as Pushpa the nobody, rises at every single occasion; he starts as an ordinary truck driver and climbs his way up the red sanders smuggling mafia group. His body language stands out the whole movie, rugged; completely and into the character. Through the first 1.5 hours, even though it’s usual Allu Arjun bashing people around, somewhat his character is not overplayed and the character of Pushpa sticks on for its rusty attitude. Somehow, with many villains and characters popping up, Pushpa becomes more important than the story and then it is all about heroism; sukumar could have definitely reworked there. 

Pushpa realizes early in the game that the chain of smuggling around the AP-TN border requires a lot of gut and need to pull strings across the gangster’s hierarchy. Making friends at the right places, outwitting check posts with his wit makes him popular in the “syndicate” – villains and villains of villains. Sunil as Mangalam Srinu is definitely something, from being a comedian to a hero and then as a gangster definitely shows how the actor’s appetite for variety. As Pushpa rises across the smuggling world, so does his enemies and then the police who continue to try to nab with proof. However, the cycle goes on, Pushpa plays smart and somehow until the interval the cat and mouse game is afloat with interesting turn of events and Allu Arjun’s grit. It is after the interval where the movie loses steam, the cat and mouse game tires with unnecessary songs ( Samantha and Saami with Raashmika) then there is nothing left for sukumar other than spring a new villain. 

Raashmika mandanna’s role seems too wasted, sticking again the to the formula of yet another stereotyped heroine with no fault of hers. The love portion seems too forced and not organic, yet they do make a good pair. DSP’s BGM is thumping although the songs do not make a mark, even Sam’s. As for the much-hyped Faasil character – a complete letdown, for an actor of his caliber, the role could have been played by anybody. Hopefully the second part is more about their duel rather than just Pushpa. Technically the cinematography is breathtaking; the jungle portions covered pretty well. Stunts need a special mention.

Overall Pushpa starts pretty well and loses steam before ending on a sour note. Allu Arjun carries the film on his shoulders intensively, definitely a toast for his fans as he moves away from the urban setting into an experimental role.