‘Pushpa 2’ star Allu Arjun in Mumbai: I treat the audience as God

Allu Arjun at a press meet for ‘Pushpa 2’ in Mumbai
| Photo Credit: Allu Arjun/YouTube

Whistles and hoots replaced the post-lunch somnolence as Telugu star Allu Arjun arrived at a Mumbai venue to promote Pushpa 2: The Rule. After his stops in Patna and Kochi, Arjun, dressed in his hallmark black, greeted the national media and urged audiences to witness the much-anticipated sequel in theatres. One of the biggest pan-India releases of the year, the film is set to open in 12,500 screens worldwide in six languages.

Across regions, fans are united in their enthusiasm as they await the return of Pushpa Raj, the fearsome sandalwood kingpin played by Arjun with rakish charm and breathless bravado in Pushpa: The Rise (2021). Directed by Sukumar, the sequel witnesses the return of Rashmika Mandanna as Pushpa’s beloved Srivalli and Malayalam star Fahadh Fasil as SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat.

“We have dedicated the last five years of our life to this franchise,” Arjun said. “We are still working (on Pushpa 2). I have lost my voice…I need to dub for one or two small corrections. I will rest, get back home and dub, to give you the best product possible. I treat the audience as God.”

“Anna, Maharashtra Army!” shouted a fan, drawing a a nod from Arjun who calls his devotees ‘army’.

“I love my fans. They fight for me, stand by me, celebrate me,” said Arjun, acknowledging the nationwide craze for Pushpa. The film’s trailer launch at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Bihar, earlier this month had drawn massive crowds, cementing Arjun’s stardom in the northern territories.

Rashmika Mandanna, now an established name in Hindi cinema, following her roles in Animal and Goodbye, said her northward journey began with the success of Pushpa. “The first time I came to Mumbai, all I would be asked is, ‘When is Pushpa 2 releasing?’” the actor shared on stage.

Arjun praised his co-star and called her ‘family’. “For the last four years, I have only been working with one actress. I am so comfortable with her. Her support is immense and there is no way this film is complete without her.”

“The world needs more girls like Rashmika. At a time when we are always comparing (women), she is the kind of girl who makes the world a beautiful place,” he added. Near the end of the event, the actors brought the house down when they performed steps from the Pushpa 2 love song, ‘Angaaron’.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings, Pushpa 2: The Rule is releasing theatrically on December 5. Anil Thadani’s AA Films is distributing it in North Indian territories.

According to exhibitors PVR, the film will have shows round the clock. Audiences can also use the Cinedubs app in theatres to view the film in any of the five additional languages (Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, and Malayalam).