Hyderabad is abuzz as Pushpa: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, releases today, December 4, while fans worldwide can catch it starting December 5. The much-awaited sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise has already generated massive hype, with ₹100 crore gross in worldwide advance bookings, making it the second Indian film of 2024 to achieve this milestone after Kalki 2898 AD.
Directed by Sukumar, Pushpa: The Rise featured Allu Arjun as the iconic Pushpa Raj, a role that initially was offered to Mahesh Babu. According to a Money Control report, Mahesh Babu declined the part due to its grey shades, leading to Allu Arjun’s transformative performance, which earned him a National Award—the first-ever for a Telugu actor.
Rashmika Mandanna, who plays Srivalli, wasn’t the original choice for the role either. The report suggests Samantha Ruth Prabhu was initially approached but declined as she wanted to avoid rural characters after Rangasthalam. Samantha, however, made a notable appearance in the song Oo Antava.
Similarly, Fahadh Faasil’s character, SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, was first offered to Vijay Sethupathi, who turned it down due to scheduling conflicts.
As Pushpa 2: The Rule hits the screens, expectations are sky-high for the sequel to match or surpass the success of its predecessor, which made Allu Arjun a pan-India sensation. Fans eagerly await to see the star-studded cast reprise their roles in this cinematic phenomenon.