PUSPHA 2 THE RULE

 The clash is on as Pushpa and Bhanwar Singh continue their rivalry in this epic conclusion to the two-parted action drama.

Release date: 5 December 2024 (India)

Director: Sukumar

Budget: ₹400–500 crore

Music director: Devi Sri Prasad

Cinematography: Miroslaw Kuba Brozek

Produced by: Naveen Yerneni; Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar

The Rule is an upcoming Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed and written by Sukumar. It is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings. The film stars Allu Arjun in the titular role alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil. It is the second instalment in the Pushpa film series and the sequel to the 2021 film Pushpa: The Rise.

10% of the film's footage was initially shot back-to-back with the original film. However, Sukumar decided to alter the story, which led to the film's principal photography commencing in October 2022. Made on a budget of ₹400–500 crore, the film is one of the most expensive Indian films to date.

Pushpa 2: The Rule is scheduled to be theatrically released on 5 December 2024.

Cast

• Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj
• Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli, wife of Pushpa
• Fahadh Faasil as SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat IPS
• Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari as Kesava "Mondelu", Pushpa's friend
• Jagapathi Babu
• Prakash Raj
• Sunil as Mangalam Srinu
• Anasuya Bharadwaj as Dakshayani, Mangalam Srinu's wife
• Rao Ramesh as MP Bhumireddy Siddappa Naidu
• Ajay Ghosh as Konda Reddy
• Dhananjaya as Jaali Reddy
• Shanmukh as Jakka Reddy
• Ajay as Molleti Mohan Raj, Pushpa's elder half-brother
• Sritej as Molleti Dharma Raj, Pushpa's second elder half-brother
• Mime Gopi as Chennai Murugan
• Brahmaji as Sub-Inspector Kupparaj
• Kalpalatha as Parvatamma, Pushpa's mother
• Sreeleela as Item number in a song "Kissik"

Production

Development

Before the release of Pushpa: The Rise in 2021, the film was announced to release in two parts, with the filmmakers stating that the maiden part would release that year, whereas the latter part would release the year after (2022) Initially, 10% of the sequel's footage was shot back-to-back with the first part, however, Sukumar decided to alter the sequel's story to reportedly fulfill the audience's anticipation and correct the previous film's mistakes. The scripting part of the film was completed by July 2022 in Hyderabad. The official title, Pushpa 2: The Rule, was announced on 22 August 2022. An inaugural muhurat puja ceremony was held on the same day in Hyderabad with the presence of the film's cast and crew.

Sukumar wrote the film's script while Srikanth Vissa contributed in the dialogues. Sukumar further retained most of the technicians from previous part including cinematographer Miroslaw Kuba Brozek, editor Karthika Srinivas and Ruben, art director S. Ramakrishna and Monica Nigotre and sound designer Resul Pookutty and Vijay Kumar. Deepali Noor and Sheetal Sharma served as costume designers while Preeti Sheel Singh was hired as character designer. Peter Hein, Kecha Kamphakdee, Dragon Prakash and Nabakanta were hired as stunt directors. Dance choreographers of the film includes Prem Rakshith, Ganesh Acharya, Vijay Polaki and Shrashti Verma.

Casting

While Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil, Rashmika Mandanna, Dhananjaya, Rao Ramesh, Sunil, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Ajay Ghosh and other remaining actors from first part have reprised their respective roles, Jagapathi Babu was roped in for a pivotal role in April 2023. Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari rejoined the cast in February 2024, after he was given bail in suicide case.

Initially, there were speculations about various actresses including Triptii Dimri, Janhvi Kapoor, Disha Patani and Shraddha Kapoor, being considered for the special song. However these speculations turned false as Sreeleela was later finalised for an item song.

Filming

Principal photography began with a test shoot on 30 October 2022 in Hyderabad. In January 2023, an action sequence was shot in Visakhapatnam. In March 2023, some scenes were shot in Bangalore. Rumours were circulated that the shooting of the film was stopped as director was unsatisfied but later turned out to be false as shooting was again started after a few days.

In April 2023, some forest sequences were shot in Malkangiri district of Odisha. Jagapathi Babu was cast in April 2023. Fahad Faasil joined the sets in May 2023 while Rashmika joined the sets in June 2023. On 3 June 2023, a bus carrying crew artist from the film met with an accident near the Vijayawada–Hyderabad Expressway. In August 2023, some scenes were shot in Ramoji Film City. In November 2023, the filming resumed in Hyderabad. In December 2023, the filming was postponed due to Allu Arjun's health.

In March 2024, some sequences were shot in Vizag and Yaganti Temple. It was later reported that the makers spend ₹50–60 crore for the Gangamma Jatara performance and a fight sequence. In April 2024, a massive underwater sequence was shot in Hyderabad. In May 2024, it was reported that the film will have multiple endings and to maintain secrecy the makers opted the no phone policy on the film set. In July 2024, it was reported that shooting of film was delayed due to rift and creative differences between Allu Arjun and Sukumar, however they were later proven to be false rumours as shooting was restarted again in Hyderabad.

Sets depicting 1990s and 2000s Japan and Malaysia were recreated at Ramoji Film City, though plans were to shoot on location, recces at Bangkok, Malaysia, and Japan determined that budget and time constraints would not allow it. In August 2024, the climax of the film was shot. A special song featuring Sreeleela was filmed in November 2024 in Hyderabad.

Post-production

Editing was handled by Karthika Srinivas and Ruben. The VFX work of the film is done by Makuta VFX. RC Kamalakannan served as the visual effects supervisor. Resul Pookutty and Vijay Kumar served as the sound designers. Just like the previous part, Shreyas Talpade dubbed for Allu Arjun in the film's Hindi version. In May 2024, both Ruben and Karthika Srinivas opted out of the film due to scheduling conflicts and creative differences, later they were replaced by Naveen Nooli, marking his third collaboration with Sukumar after Nannaku Prematho (2016) and Rangasthalam (2018). The first half of the film was edited by October 2024. Jis Joy once again dubbed for Allu Arjun in the film's Malayalam version.Rashmika completed her dubbing portions by November 2024.

Music

The film score is composed by Thaman S, B. Ajaneesh Loknath and Sam C. S., while the songs featured in the film are composed by Devi Sri Prasad, with lyrics written by Chandrabose. The music rights of the film were acquired by T-Series for ₹65 crore. The first single titled "Pushpa Pushpa" was released on 1 May 2024. The second single titled "Sooseki (The Couple Song)" was released on 29 May 2024.

All lyrics are written by Chandrabose

Marketing

The first-look poster along with an announcement glimpse video was released on 8 April 2023, coinciding with Allu Arjun's 41st birthday. The teaser of the film was released a year later on 8 April 2024, coinciding with Arjun's 42nd birthday. A grand press meet was held on 24 October 2024 in Hyderabad where the new release date of the film was revealed.

Promotional activities for the film is scheduled to take place in Patna, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The film's official trailer will release on 17 November 2024 at a pre-release event in Gandhi Maidan, Patna.

Release

Theatrical

The film is scheduled to release on 5 December 2024 in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali and Malayalam languages. The film was originally announced to release on 15 August 2024, coinciding with Independence Day. However, it was pushed to 6 December 2024 due to unfinished shooting and post-production work, before being preponed one day to its current date of 5 December 2024. It is the first Pan-Indian film to release in Bengali language.

Distribution

The North India distribution rights were acquired by Anil Thadani's AA Films for ₹200 crore. The distribution rights for North America were acquired by Prathyangira Cinemas and AA Creations. The Kerala and Karnataka distribution rights were acquired by E4 Entertainment and N Cinemas respectively. AGS Entertainment acquired the Tamil Nadu distribution rights. Forum Films will distribute the film in Australia and New Zealand while AA Films UK Ltd. will distribute the film across United Kingdom and Friday Entertainment will distribute in France.

Pre-release business

The film made a record of the highest pre-release business in India, with combined theatrical and non-theatrical business of ₹1085 crores.

Prior to its release, the film made a business of nearly ₹640 crore (US$77 million) from its theatrical rights. The Andhra Pradesh and Telangana distribution rights were sold for ₹220 crore (US$26 million). The Hindi dubbed distribution rights were sold for ₹200 crore (US$24 million). The film made a combined deal of ₹100 crore (US$12 million) from distribution in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala theatres. The overseas distribution rights were sold for ₹140 crore (US$17 million). It further made ₹425 crore (US$51 million) from non-theatrical rights, including digital, satellite and music rights.

Home media

The satellite rights of the film were acquired by Star Maa. The digital streaming rights of the film were acquired by Netflix for ₹275 crore.

 

Champions Trophy: PCB demands an explanation in writing from India for not  travel to pakistan

The PCB has written to the ICC and asked them to provide a written statement from the BCCI that they are unable to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and also giving a reason for it.

The PCB was told last Friday by the ICC that the BCCI has not been given permission by the Indian government for the Indian team to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, scheduled to be played across three venues in Pakistan from February 9. But the PCB wants it in writing from the BCCI that they are unable to attend and also the reason for it.

That ICC communication came three days before what would've been the official launch event for the tournament in Lahore, starting a 100-day countdown. Instead, the event has been postponed.

The PCB's stance at the moment remains unchanged: the entire tournament will be played in Pakistan with a senior PCB official reiterating that there is "no chance" of a hybrid model being considered. Such a model, used once for the Asia Cup in 2023, would allow India to play their games outside of Pakistan. There has been speculation about the UAE being used as a second venue in this instance but the PCB has unequivocally ruled that out. The tournament is scheduled to be played in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi between February 19 and March 9.

As well as that stance, there is also a growing realisation that with the Pakistan government now involved, any decisions on hosting and hybrid models may not be driven by the PCB but will be firmly in the government's hands.

One of the reasons the PCB is standing firm at the moment is because they feel aggrieved by events last year. After they were forced to use a hybrid model in hosting the Asia Cup, Pakistan agreed to travel to India for the World Cup. That decision was taken after consultation with the government and permission was ultimately granted - despite considerable opposition - on the hope that it would lead to India reciprocating by visiting for the Champions Trophy.

The same government remains in place in Pakistan and Mohsin Naqvi, a senior figure within it as the country's interior minister, is now the PCB chairman.

The PCB has also pointed out that the tournament was awarded to Pakistan three years ago and no objection was raised at the time, or has been raised since. The PCB is believed to have provided a progress report at the ICC's board meetings in October including the intention to go ahead with the 100-day launch event on November 11, with no concerns raised.

 

Amit Shah says BJP will form committee to identify ‘infiltrators’ in Jharkhand

Amit Shah said the BJP government will promulgate a law to prevent the transfer of land to "infiltrators" after their marriage with tribal women.

Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday promised that if the BJP wins the Jharkhand assembly election, it will form a panel to identify and throw out “infiltrators” from the state.

Addressing a rally at Seraikela, Amit Shah said the BJP government will promulgate a law to prevent the transfer of land to "infiltrators" after their marriage with tribal women.

He said that BJP's allegation that "infiltrators" marry tribal women to capture land.

He said that the captured land would be given back to the tribal population of Jharkhand.

"Tribal population is declining in Jharkhand. Infiltrators are grabbing land by marrying our daughters. We will bring legislation to prevent the transfer of land to infiltrators if they marry tribal women. We will also form a committee to identify infiltrators to drive them out and reclaim land grabbed by them," he said.

Amit Shah said Champai Soren was forced to resign as the chief minister of Jharkhand because he raised the issue of infiltration.