Pushpa: The Rise review – Allu Arjun shines in a predictable but entertaining masala film

If there is one thing Telugu filmmakers have mastered over the years, it is the knack of getting the masala cinema formula right. No matter how predictable their films get, most Telugu films continue to appeal to the masses because of the mainstream treatment. The Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa: The Rise (2021) is no different.

Sukumar’s film, which is largely engaging, is set against the backdrop of red sandalwood smuggling and follows the rise of the film’s central character, Pushparaj aka Pushpa, a terrific Allu Arjun who not just shines in the role but also makes it one of the more memorable characters in recent years.

Pushpa, who lives with his mother, grows up without a father as he was born from an illegitimate relationship. From a young age, he is shamed for not belonging to a family and not having a surname. The years of humiliation have left him scarred, and he yearns to earn an identity for himself.

After taking up menial jobs for a pittance, he volunteers to be part of a red-sandalwood smuggling gang because of the better pay. He slowly gains the trust of his employers and rises through the ranks to become the go-to guy in the illegal business.

The rise to the top comes with its share of obstacles, but Pushpa is the kind of guy who doesn’t stop at anything until he gets what he wants. As he slowly starts to gain control over the business while earning the wrath of a few, he crosses paths with Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, played by the inimitable Fahadh Faasil, and all hell breaks loose.

At three hours long, Pushpa manages to stay engaging for the most part and never makes sitting through the film tiring. It’s a character-driven story and Sukumar must be lauded for effectively establishing the character of Pushpa, whose rise to the top couldn’t have been handled more satisfyingly.

The only minor issue with the writing is that the hero, who is meant to win in the end like in most mainstream stories, has no stakes to lose, which sort of makes him invincible and the film’s multiple antagonists powerless. Even the inclusion of Fahadh Faasil, who apparently gets a meatier role in the second part, has not created the kind of impact most would have anticipated.

Despite the crowd-pleasing confrontation scenes between Allu Arjun and Fahadh, the film’s end is slightly underwhelming. Nevertheless, Pushpa is a cracker of a masala film that allows Allu Arjun to push the boundaries as a performer.

Pushpa is Allu Arjun’s show all the way, and he plays a crucial role in making the film work. Be it the Telugu accent, his character’s mannerisms or the body language, including the shoulder drooping on one side, he seems to have championed every facet of the character to make it a unique and entertaining performance.

However, the other key characters are poorly written. Rashmika Mandanna hardly gets to leave a mark in a forgettable character. The face-off between Arjun and Fahadh towards the end is a subplot that I wish were explored earlier in the movie. We get two men consumed by the urge to rule lock horns to decide who is more powerful. It’s a face-off I’m waiting to bet my money on in the second part.

Pushpa has been released in theatres in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.