Allu Arjun and Sukumar’s Pushpa: The Rise hit the silver screens across the globe a short while ago. The forest based actioner released amid sky high expectations. Here is what we felt after watching the film.
Story: Pushpa Raj (Allu Arjun) is a vicious red sandalwood smuggler who progresses through the ranks in the syndicate at a quick rate. In the process, Pushpa has to take on the hierarchy and also the police department. Can Pushpa emerge victorious in this ambitious journey? What role does his love interest Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna) play in this?
What about on-screen performances?
Allu Arjun delivers an absolutely exquisite performance in the role of a wicked smuggler. His body language, dialogue delivery, and demeanor are of elite quality. He shoulders the film. His makeover is a class act as well. Rashmika Mandanna in the deglam role is ok. She delivers what is expected of her. Sunil’s character doesn’t reach the expectations and there isn’t much for Anasuya in the first part. Fahadh Faasil is seen only towards the end and he creates an impact with whatever the little screen time he has.
What about off-screen talents?
Sukumar’s previous film, Rangasthalam was a rustic action drama. He has followed a similar template for Pushpa: The Rise. This time around, the canvas of the project and the action part are set on a large scale. However, Pushpa: The Rise is about 50% as engaging as Rangasthalam was. Sukumar sticks to the rustic angle but the drama that fueled Rangasthalam goes missing with Pushpa: The Rise now.
The film revolves around Pushpa Raj who wishes to rule the smuggling world and goes to any extent for the same. As Sukumar had decided to present the film in two parts, he had to stretch out the story for the first part, and consequently, there is nothing much happening in the opening half of Pushpa: The Rise. The story progresses at a rather subdued pace. Except for the interval block, there aren’t too many high moments in the opening half. The slow narration doesn’t help the cause either. The VFX works are patchy as well.
The latter half is where the majority of the action takes place. It sets the stage for the second installment of Pushpa. The climax gives a glimpse of what the second part will offer. As for the love track, which takes the center stage in the opening half, it has a few bright moments. The comedy angle in the love track works well.
Devi Sri Prasad’s background score is ineffective. The audio album he scored isn’t a chartbuster one either. The cinematography is of top notch quality. Production designing is elite and so are the production values, of course barring the patchy VFX works.
Whats Hot?
- Allu Arjun acting, body language, seema accent
- First half love track is bit entertaining
- Interval scene
- First fight after interval
- Fahad entry episode
What’s Not?
- Slow/flat narration
- VFX not upto the mark
- BGM
- Lengthy Run-time
- Not much glamour except for Samantha’s item song.
Verdict
Pushpa: The Rise is a below average action drama set in smuggling backdrop. Allu Arjun comes up with a winning act but that isn’t backed by pacy narration. Movie is lengthy, has its own shortcomings, flatly narrated which makes it boring at times. Fahad’s (Banwar Singh Shekawath) entry in the last 30 mins is good but following scenes fell flat. All in all, Sukumar’s Pushpa first part falls short of expectations given the hype around the film
Telugubulletin.com Rating: 2.5/5
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Pushpa: The Rise – Part 1 is an action thriller film written and directed by Sukumar. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers in association with Muttamsetty Media, the film stars Allu Arjun as the titular character alongside Fahadh Faasil (in his Telugu debut) and Rashmika Mandanna.
The film’s music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, with cinematography and editing performed by Miroslaw Kuba Brozek and Karthika Srinivas respectively.
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1:50 AM IST : Allu Arjun entry as smuggler of sandal wood, TamilNadu police stops him followed by a fight scene. Allu Arjun’s attitude, dialect and modulation are very good.
2:00 AM IST : Pushpa (Allu Arjun) is a leader for Sandal wood cutters in Seshachalam forest. He gives warning to police who comes after him followed by Dakko Dakko meka song.
2:15 AM IST : Dakko Dakko meka is a decent watch, fans will enjoy. Lorry Chase sequence is good. Puspha gets caught and beaten by police, a good emotional scene. Movie is entertaining so far ..
2:30 AM IST : KondaReddy (Ajay Ghosh) is the main guy who runs Sandalwood smuggling, he comes to bail Pushpa but insults him. Pushpa has an emotional flash backstory, he is step brother of Ajay. Rashmika enters the movie with Sree Valli song, comedy scenes in the song brings laughter.
2:50 AM IST : Scenes between Pushpa and Sreevalli, Comedy dialogues are good. Mangalam Seenu is the leader of smuggling syndicate and boss of Konda Reddy. He hides all the Sandal wood stock in KondaReddy’s go down which police finds out, Pushpa helps to save the sandal wood. Movie has very rustic background, Allu Arjun’s dialect and action is very good.
3:05 AM IST : Aa antava mama song is in Mangalam Seenu party, song is superb. Samanta is smoking hot in the song with her dance and expressions. Pushpa finds out that Mangalam Seenu is selling Sandalwood for much higher price but giving very less share to Konda Reddy. KondaReddy offers a deal to Pushpa that he will give 50% share if he convince Managalam Srinu to give a higher cut.
3:20 AM IST : Engagement between Pushpa and Sreevalli does not go well, Pushpa’s mom gets injured. The birth background of Pusha runs as an undercurrent emotion. Interval scene is superb, Pushpa gives a warning to Managalam Srinu that if he does not give higher rate then he will sell it directly to buyers.
3:40 AM IST: First Half of the movie is a Rustic drama that revolves around Pushpa, KondaReddy and MangalamSeenu with sandalwood smuggling backdrop. Comedy,love and emotion are interwoven with in story,but few scenes are slow. It does not reach expectations of audience for a Sukumar movie. Allu Arjun’s acting and body language are good.
3:50 AM IST: Konda Reddy’s asks Sreevalli to come to his house, Pushpa fights with him. Best fight in the movie so far, very well taken. Sami Sami song is good. Konda Reddy gang beats up Pushpa, while that is happening Mangalam Srinu gang kills Konda Reddy.
4:10 AM IST: Action sequence where Pushpa saves Konda Reddy’s son is racy, masses will enjoy. Pushpa’s dialogue to mangalam Srinu ” nenu business lo yelu petti kelakatanikiraledu, yelataniki vachhanu” is good. Pushpa gets the total syndicate, followed by ey bidda song. The rise of Pushpa is shown in the song.
4:40 AM IST: Bhanwar Singh (Fahadh Faasil) enters the movie as SP. Scenes between Bhanwar Singh and Pushpa are conceived very well. Last 30 mins of the movie has good drama, and the mood for sequel is established very well. Movie ends with confrontation between Pushpa and Bhanwar Singh.
Final Report : Movie is slow until pre interval scene, picks up pace with interval scene. Second half is a bit better than first half in terms of pace and engagement. Overall movie is rustic drama with good plot in forest backdrop. It’s a Allu Arjun’s show all the way, his action, dialect and body language are flawless. Sunil as main protagonist is not up to the mark. Fahad Faasil & Allu Arjun has carried the movie last 30 mins of the movie and sets the mood for the sequel. Watch this space for first on net unbiased full movie of Pushpa.