Pushpa is basically Superman.
That’s the one thought I had while watching “Pushpa 2”. Seen in that light, “Pushpa 2” is super enjoyable!
The sequel is longer and grander than the prequel. While in “Pushpa” the fight scenes and character were somewhat relateable to at a stretch, with “Pushpa 2” there is not even a pretense of that. He is indestructable, with his Kryptonite being the lack of a surname/ family name (which too is well addressed in a monologue by his wife Srivalli). He goes on a Hulk-esque rampage at times, flies like Superman at other times, bounces off the floor at all times – and no laws of Physics apply to him. There doesn’t seem to be anything he can’t do. The guy learnt Japanese in 42 days while surviving in a container (no idea what the relevance of that opening fight scene in Japan was, btw). He can beat up anyone and everyone, plan 5-10 steps ahead, and basically use his raw power and confidence to make whatever he wishes happen. And as he keeps saying, Pushpa does not mean “flower”, it means “fire” (now upgraded to “wildfire”!) Pushpa is not just a name but a brand. 🖐 I love it! 😍
Similar to how Superman was re-imagined as being raised in Russia (in Superman: Red Son), imagine a series of movies where Superman was raised in India and became a sandalwood smuggler called Pushpa. Which is great to be honest! Hollywood superhero movies are too grounded for my taste nowadays, and this felt like a welcome relief from all that. Yes, I loved “The Dark Knight” trilogy and its darkness, but must every super hero movie be such a drama nowadays – you are super heroes, for goodness sakes, have some fun! Be it the new “Batman” or the trailer for the new “Superman”, or any other recent superhero movie. They are all about superheroes being tortured souls, doing a thankless job and hated by the public, tackling big issues and multiverses and world-ending events etc. – all of which just seem so grand and far away. While what you get with “Pushpa” is a superhero who is only concerned about smuggling sandalwood in the most outlandish ways possible, outwitting cops and other baddies etc. Fun!
This is not to say I am all for the toxic masculinity that’s very common in Telegu movies, and also in “Pushpa”. I don’t think there’s too much of it in “Pushpa 2” though. And while Srivalli doesn’t have much of a role, she does hold her own and at no point is her character mistreated or shown as second fiddle to Pushpa (unlike say, “Animal” where the toxicity was oozing all over the place and quite disgusting).
Gotta give credit to the mind of B. Sukumar (the writer, director). It takes a certain sort of mind to imagine the fight scenes and generally everything in “Pushpa 2” (especially all the bits where he dresses up as a goddess, and all those scenes). It is certainly overdone in many parts, but was fun to watch!