Pushpa 2: The Rule Debuts to High Expectations and Early Praise
After a few early premiere shows, Pushpa 2: The Rule has finally hit theaters today, December 5. With the immense legacy of its predecessor looming large, the stakes were sky-high for director Sukumar and the unstoppable force that is Allu Arjun as Pushpa.
The delays leading up to the final schedule and the intense promotional blitz in recent weeks only underscored the pressure to deliver. And judging by the initial reactions from audiences, it seems the Pushpa legacy has been upheld—or perhaps even surpassed—according to the first wave of cine-goers.
Comments like “This is going to be the next RRR or even better” speak volumes about the audience’s excitement and satisfaction as they leave theaters. This praise is particularly significant, considering RRR—SS Rajamouli’s Oscar-winning masterpiece starring Ram Charan, Jr NTR, and Alia Bhatt—is regarded as one of India’s greatest cinematic achievements in recent times.
Other glowing reviews highlight the film’s impact: “PEAK INDIAN COMMERCIAL FILM,” “Great movie, no notes. Will happily rewatch it when it’s on Netflix. AA did a phenomenal job. Rashmika was great. Fafa excellent as always,” “Damn, did it over-deliver,” and “Yup, it’s a smash hit. This is going to take over the country. Proper Indian mass masala.”
Allu Arjun is undeniably the star of the moment, earning widespread acclaim for his dedication to the role. Fans have taken to social media with comments like, “All I can say is Fafa cooked, AA cooked, DSP cooked, and Suku is still cooking,” and “Mad respect for Arjun after seeing clips of that Jathara scene.” Another fan declared, “This is a phenomenon, and Sukumar is a master chef. AA is set to break all-time industry records.”
The impact of word-of-mouth on the film’s future business may be negligible, thanks to Allu Arjun’s unparalleled superstardom and Rashmika Mandanna’s enduring popularity as the quintessential girl-next-door. The real question now is whether Pushpa 2 can match or surpass the cinematic brilliance of its predecessor, which earned Allu Arjun a National Award.
The true measure of its success will be seen in its box office performance, which, judging by early reactions, could sustain for months. According to an Outlook business report, Pushpa 2 has already raked in ₹125 crores on its opening day from domestic and overseas ticket sales. With theatrical rights sold at ₹640 crores and digital rights fetching ₹275 crores, the film is poised to set a new fiscal benchmark in the world of pan-Indian cinema.
