In Pushpa 2: The Rule, there exists a remarkable scene where Allu Arjun's character, Pushpa Raj, astonishingly defies the laws of gravity to overpower numerous adversaries while his hands are restrained behind his back. This fight sequence exemplifies the grand style of cinema that has been popularized by icons such as Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Salman Khan, and Vijay over the past few decades. Notably, Shah Rukh Khan also participated in this trend last year.

With Pushpa 2, Allu Arjun and director Sukumar have elevated the experience to a new level. The impressive box office performance serves as evidence of this achievement. Despite its lack of depth, Pushpa 2 represents the pinnacle of a well-crafted mass entertainment formula designed solely for audience enjoyment.

Pushpa 2's fine-tuning of the Baahubali template

A successful formula for Pushpa 2 can be observed, reminiscent of the patterns established by Baahubali and KGF. The initial film lays the groundwork for pan-India success, familiarizing both the audience and the star with Hindi viewers. Subsequently, the sequel achieves unprecedented box office success, setting records. However, a notable distinction with Sukumar's film is that, unlike its predecessors, Pushpa: The Rise did not achieve blockbuster status in its home region. The Telugu version was classified as a 'hit,' while the Hindi version emerged as a blockbuster. Consequently, the success of Pushpa 2 has been closely tied to the performance of its Hindi version.

As this analysis is being composed, Pushpa 2: The Rule has amassed ₹953 crore net in India, with ₹591 crore attributed solely to the Hindi version. The Hindi dub of Pushpa 2 has surpassed Rajamouli's Baahubali 2, the original pan-India blockbuster, as well as Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan. It is on track to exceed Jawan shortly, positioning itself to become the highest-grossing 'Hindi' film in history. This achievement represents a significant milestone in pan-India's success. Surpassing the leading figures of Bollywood and India's most commercially successful filmmaker in the Hindi market is an impressive accomplishment, particularly within less than two weeks.

How Sukumar perfected the formula

Allu Arjun and his remarkable stardom undoubtedly deserve significant recognition for the success of the film. A large number of young audiences from the Hindi-speaking regions flocked to theatres to see Pushpa. However, it is essential to also acknowledge the contributions of the director, Sukumar. While it may be tempting to attribute the success of Pushpa 2 solely to a formulaic approach, such a perspective is misguided. Each year, numerous filmmakers attempt to replicate this formula, yet many, as evidenced by the failures of Adipurush, Vikrant Rona, and Kanguva, do not achieve the same level of success, even with prominent stars. The triumph of Pushpa 2 can be credited to Sukumar's ability to enhance the formula with essential elements: a narrative that resonates with the intended audience, vibrant characters, and a relatable hero. While Rocky Bhai was aspirational and Baahubali served as an icon, Pushpa represents a unique identity, firmly rooted in its context, which Sukumar skillfully utilized to elevate the film.

The promotional strategy, which notably included a trailer launch in Patna, effectively positioned Pushpa 2 as a film primarily aimed at the Hindi-speaking audience. In just the first 13 days, Pushpa 2 generated more revenue in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar than in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, underscoring the success of this approach. Unlike Baahubali or RRR, which were Telugu films that also found success in northern markets, Pushpa is distinctly propelled by its Hindi audience.

A calculated risk that paid off

The sole drawback in the otherwise impressive performance of Pushpa 2 has been its lacklustre earnings in Kerala. The Malayalam version of the film has garnered merely ₹14 crore, in stark contrast to the ₹50 crore amassed by the Tamil version. This disparity has raised eyebrows, particularly since Fahadh Faasil, a prominent figure in the Malayalam film industry, plays the antagonist. However, this may be precisely the issue at hand. Observers have pointed out that Fahadh's character, Shekhawat, has been portrayed as a rather feeble villain, which could have negatively influenced the film's reception in Kerala.

From my perspective, this appears to be a strategic decision made by the producers and Sukumar. The film is titled Pushpa 2, not Pushpa versus Shekhawat. The narrative was never intended to showcase a battle between equals, akin to Master or Vikram. The emphasis should consistently remain on the resilient and unyielding character of Pushpa Raj, who embodies the spirit of 'Thaggede la.' Had Sukumar's screenplay elevated Shekhawat's role, it might have marginally improved the film's performance in Kerala. However, such an approach could have diminished the grandeur of Pushpa, a consideration that Sukumar was likely keenly aware of.

Ultimately, the impressive box office figures validate the effectiveness of this strategy. While conceptualizing a pan-India blockbuster is one challenge, executing it successfully is another. Sukumar has achieved this feat, with his film surpassing even the works of SS Rajamouli and the star power of Shah Rukh Khan at the box office. As the second week concludes, Pushpa 2 is nearing the remarkable milestone of ₹1500 crore. The mere speculation of whether it can surpass Baahubali 2 and Dangal is a testament to the significant impact of Pushpa 2.

Read Also: Rashmika Mandanna Discusses Comfort Found in Partner Amid Vijay Deverakonda Dating Rumors

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!