I liked “Pushpa: The Rise – Part 1” more than most people. Whereas many saw the film as begin a generic rehash of the rags to riches story, I was taken away by Sukumar’s world-building and the fantastic performance put on by All Arjun. The first film was riddled with many memorable characters and also featured some spectacular mass action sequences with a banging DSP score. The first film also sets up an intense stand-off between Pushpa and Inspector Shekhawat (Fahadh Fassil), a character that really seemed to be able to challenge Pushpa both inside and out. So I was quite excited to see how this cat and mouse game would play out, especially after hearing that Sukumar took time to rewrite everything after the first film became a huge success.

Unfortunately, “Pushpa 2: The Rule” is a huge let down. The biggest disappointment being the horrendous way in which the battle between Pushpa and Shekhawat plays out. The first half or so of the film is basically a re-hash of the first film with Pushpa and Shekhawat getting on each other nerves. There is an incredible sequence that takes place in a police station as Shekhawat learns that Pushpa has bought out everyone there, as the film cuts back and forth from the past and present as Shekhawat touches things that Pushpa has left behind for him. But it never really goes anywhere. Sukumar seems much more interested in hero worshipping Pushpa rather than giving him a real challenge. There is a scene where Pushpa is made to apologize to Shekhawat, and it seemed to be the start of something exciting, but again it goes nowhere. For the vast majority of the film Pushpa is never really in any trouble and it just becomes boring. Did I mention this film was 3 and 1/2 hours?

Shekhawat had such tooth and fire in the first film, but here he is just reduced to another generic villain that Pushpa needs to get by. It’s also a huge disservice to Fahadh Fassil, an incredible actor who isn’t able to shine here like he did in the first film. There just isn’t much that he has to work with. And when he meets his inevitable end, there is no satisfaction – more so a feeling of “that’s it?” Once Shekhawat is out of the picture, we are introduced to some new villains who are nowhere near as interesting and it turns the final third of the film into a complete slog.

However, one thing I really admire this film for is the amount of effort that is put into Srivalli’s character and her relationship with Pushpa. One of my criticism of the first film was how it felt as though Srivalli didn’t have much to do and I didn’t quite buy their relationship either. In this film it is completely the opposite where their relationship is probably the best part of the film. Rashmika Mandanna and Allu Arjun have such electric chemistry on the screen and Srivalli also ends up playing a major role not only in Pushpa’s external affairs with the CM but also his internal strife with his family.

The cinematography in this film is also a huge step from the first with Miroslaw Brozek really stepping up his game. While I took some issue with the way some forest shots in the first film were done, I really didn’t have any issues here. The Gangamma Thalli Jatara sequence is lit beautifully and is one of the most memorable sequences of the film.

Speaking of the Gangamma Thalli Jatara sequence, Allu Arjun once again brings his A-game and this film features some of the best acting of his career. He fully commits to Sukumar’s vision and once again makes Pushpa believable.

Things feel much bigger in this film, but it doesn’t end up being as memorable as the first film. While I was entertained and there are aspects of the film that worked for me, the majority of it did not. Who knows how long it will take until the third film comes out, but I’m certainly not holding my breath for it.