Sukumar's love letter to Allu Arjun: How Pushpa was born from trust and mannerisms
As Pushpa 2: The Rule gears up for a grand worldwide release on December 5, Sukumar opened up about the pivotal role Allu Arjun has played in his career.
Updated : December 03, 2024 12:33 PM ISTAs Pushpa 2: The Rule gears up for a grand worldwide release on December 5, Sukumar opened up about the pivotal role Allu Arjun has played in his career.
Allu Arjun and Sukumar on sets of Pushpa
Filmmaker Sukumar attributes much of his career success to one person: Allu Arjun. The duo has been instrumental in shaping each other's careers, with their collaborations playing a significant role in establishing them as formidable forces in the film industry. Together, they delivered Pushpa: The Rise, a landmark film not just in their shared journey but in the history of Telugu cinema.
Ahead of the release of Pushpa 2: The Rule, Sukumar revealed that when he first pitched Pushpa to Allu Arjun, he didn’t have a complete story. Instead, he had only a vague concept of a character with unique mannerisms. However, Allu Arjun’s enthusiastic response to the idea gave Sukumar the confidence to take a leap of faith.
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“Pushpa 1 and Pushpa 2 happened purely because of Allu Arjun and my love for him,” Sukumar shared.
The director praised Allu Arjun's energy and dedication, crediting his involvement even during the narration stage for motivating him to push boundaries. “Believe it or not, I made the film purely because of him. I didn’t have a story—just a few ideas about a character and his mannerisms. Your involvement inspired me to make it bigger and better,” Sukumar added.
He further noted that Allu Arjun’s commitment to elevating the Telugu film industry makes him an extraordinary collaborator. “Working with him naturally raises the bar for everyone involved—actors, crew, and even the industry as a whole,” Sukumar said.
On the topic of Pushpa 3, Sukumar hinted that it might take time. “I took three years of a hero’s life to make this movie. I will ask my friend [Allu Arjun] later, but you should also ask your favourite hero if he’s willing to give me another three years. Then, it’s possible,” he quipped, adding humorously, “Sorry darling, I took all your prime time.”
Pushpa 2: The Rule is set to release in cinemas worldwide on December 5.