The blockbuster film Pushpa 2: The Rule, directed by Sukumar and featuring Allu Arjun, is making waves not only for its remarkable box office performance but also amid serious controversy. Since its release on December 5, 2023, the film's success has been marred by tragedy following the death of a woman during the premiere night at Sandhya Theatre, raising questions about safety at such events.
Following its launch, Pushpa 2 demonstrated outstanding box office numbers, surpassing ₹1,089.85 crore across India after just 20 days of release, with versatile collections contributing significantly from its Hindi version, totaling over ₹700 crore. The film's total worldwide earnings amount to over ₹1,600 crore, establishing it as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
According to reports from Sacnilk.com, Pushpa 2 collected ₹14.25 crore on its third Tuesday, elevelling its total earnings since release. The movie also showcases impressive longevity at the box office, raking in ₹725.8 crore within its first week and ₹264.8 crore during the second week. Despite facing competition from new releases like Baby John and Mufasa: The Lion King, the interest and engagement surrounding Pushpa 2 remains steady as audiences flock to theaters.
Notably, Pushpa 2 outshines various records, becoming the highest-earning Hindi film ever, breaching the ₹700 crore threshold, effectively overshadowing notable blockbusters like Jawan and Pathaan. This achievement highlights the film's vast reach and appeal beyond regional boundaries since it was released not only in Telugu but also dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada, marking it as a pan-Indian success.
Despite the accolades and buzz, the success of Pushpa 2 is shadowed by the unfortunate incident at its premiere, which resulted not only in public mourning but also placed significant scrutiny on Allu Arjun, the film's lead. After the premiere night tragedy, the actor was summoned by the Hyderabad Police for questioning. Reportedly, Arjun was asked to 'cooperate' with the investigation surrounding the stampede, with criticism directed toward him from protesting groups demanding accountability.
Following the tragic incident, there was an outcry from protesters who vandalized Arjun's residence, insisting he take responsibility for the victim's family. It emerged from various reports stating, "The protesters demanded he [Allu Arjun] take care of the victim’s family." Amid such turmoil, the producers of Pushpa 2, Naveen Yerneni and Ravi Shankar, took swift action, making gestures of goodwill, including donating ₹50 lakh to the family of the deceased woman, publicly-assisted by Telangana Minister for Roads & Buildings, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, at KIMS Hospital, Hyderabad.
While Allu Arjun's situation remains complex with legal inquiries and potential ramifications including the risk of re-arrest, the actor has yet to let the controversy overshadow his career. The success of Pushpa 2: The Rule is undeniable, becoming the third-biggest Indian film ever, falling only behind Baahubali 2: The Conclusion and Dangal. Critics and audiences alike are eagerly awaiting the third installment, Pushpa: The Rampage, continuing the saga so successfully established.
Allu Arjun's enduring popularity and dedication to his craft are evident, as he continues to engage with the media and address the issues stemming from the premiere's unfortunate events. With Netflix acquiring the OTT rights to Pushpa 2, fans are excitedly anticipating its streaming debut as early January approaches. Yet, as the film exits theatres, the tensions surrounding its premiere are likely to persist, encapsulating the duality of success and struggle within the limelight.
