Pushpa 2: The Rule is dominating the box office and breaking records, achieving over Rs 1600 crores globally, but not without controversy. Starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, this highly anticipated sequel has managed to attract audiences worldwide since its release on December 5, 2023.
According to trade estimates, the film has grossed approximately Rs 1062.9 crores within India and rapidly moved to enter the illustrious Rs 1600 crore club globally. This meteoric rise has positioned it as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, now trailing only the blockbuster hits, Baahubali 2 and Dangal.
What makes the success of Pushpa 2 even more remarkable is its outstanding performance during its third weekend. The film raked in Rs 72.3 crores, with the Hindi version alone contributing 80% of this total. Notably, it not only surpassed previous hits like Jawan and KGF 2 but has also set records for all Hindi films alike.
While numbers speak volumes about its popularity, Pushpa 2 has been marred by tragic incidents since its release. The most shocking was the stampede at Sandhya Theater during its premiere, which resulted in the death of a woman and left her son seriously injured. This incident led to public outcry, with protesters vandalizing Allu Arjun’s Hyderabad home.
Allu Arjun, currently facing intense scrutiny, expressed his sorrow about the incident, stating, "I am sorry something this unfortunate happened in my presence. When people claim I said it’s okay someone died or is hospitalised, that's character assassination. It hurts me to see false allegations levelled against me." His sentiments reflect the pressure on actors to be accountable not just for their on-screen roles but also for the societal conditions surrounding such major events.
Further complicate matters, Allu Arjun's father, Allu Aravind, defended his son by emphasizing the need for measured reactions to the situation, saying, "Everyone has seen what happened at our house today. But it is time for us to act accordingly. Now is not the right time for us to react to anything. The law will take its own course." This situation encapsulates the frustrations of the family who feel wrongly targeted amid their son's massive success.
Additional controversies have sparked as well after reports emerged of another severe case involving a 22-year-old student who attempted suicide after her boyfriend declined to take her to watch Pushpa 2. After jumping from the third floor of their hotel, the woman ended up hospitalized due to severe injuries, which has instigated even more headlines and discussions on social media about responsibility and blame.
These incidents highlight underlying societal issues tied to fan culture, and how expectations from audiences can force individuals to extreme measures. Fans and netizens have also voiced their discontent, some humorously remarking, had the suicide attempt occurred within Telangana, Allu Arjun could have been blamed once again.
Despite these controversies, Pushpa 2 has shown resilience at the box office, continuing to pull audiences. It is particularly strong among Hindi-speaking viewers, which has rejuvenated the Hindi film market during this release window. With push-and-pull dynamics between public sentiment and box office receipts, industry observers marvel at how the film’s statistics remain unscathed by the surrounding chaos.
The global appeal of Pushpa 2 has also been significant, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 2024 according to BookMyShow. The film reflects the potent combination of catchy storytelling, commercial success, and star power. And with no major releases lined up for the immediate future, analysts speculate whether Pushpa 2 will surpass Baahubali 2 and secure the position of the biggest Indian cinematic release to date.
Directed by Sukumar, Pushpa 2: The Rule features mesmerizing action sequences and emotional depths, echoing its successful prequel, Pushpa: The Rise. The next few weeks will be pivotal not just for box office collections but also for assessing the potential long-term impact of these controversies on Allu Arjun's personal and professional life.
Will Pushpa 2 achieve the impossible and emerge as the highest-grossing Indian film ever, or will the dark cloud of controversy overshadow its remarkable success? Time will tell as this cinematic juggernaut continues to roll.
