Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule opened to a phenomenal response at the box office, breaking advance booking records and drawing massive crowds to theaters across India. Despite being a weekday release, the film achieved impressive occupancy rates across multiple languages, underlining its immense popularity. However, the film’s success has been overshadowed by a tragic stampede incident during the premiere at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad, leading to the loss of one life and critically injuring a young boy.
Pushpa 2: The Rule – Record-Breaking Success at the Box Office
Box Office Milestones
Pushpa 2: The Rule has set a new benchmark for Indian cinema with advance booking collections of ₹105.67 crore, surpassing the records held by Baahubali 2 (₹90 crore) and KGF: Chapter 2 (₹80 crore). The overwhelming response from fans highlights the sequel’s immense hype and Allu Arjun’s star power.
This achievement cements Pushpa 2 as one of the most eagerly anticipated films in recent years, showcasing the growing dominance of Tollywood on the pan-Indian stage.
Opening Day Occupancy Rates
Despite releasing on a weekday, Pushpa 2 managed to attract strong audiences across various regions:
- Telugu: The heartland of Pushpa’s fandom recorded the highest occupancy at 77.09%, a testament to Allu Arjun’s mass appeal.
- Hindi: With a solid 50.94% occupancy, the Hindi market shows significant interest, rivaling Bollywood releases.
- Tamil: Moderate interest led to 43.74% occupancy in Tamil Nadu.
- Malayalam: Kerala recorded a decent 47.38%, reflecting Allu Arjun’s popularity in the state.
Audience and Critical Reception
The audience has largely praised Pushpa 2 for its gripping action sequences and Allu Arjun’s magnetic performance. However, critics have offered mixed reviews, with India Today giving the film a rating of 2.5/5, citing pacing issues and a lack of novelty in the narrative.
Social media is flooded with fan reactions, ranging from adulation for Allu Arjun’s portrayal of Pushpa Raj to criticism of certain aspects of the storyline.
The Stampede Incident
The release was marred by a tragic incident during the premiere at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad. The stampede, caused by overcrowding outside the venue, resulted in the death of a woman and left her young son critically injured. Hyderabad police have registered a case against the theater management, citing inadequate crowd control measures.
This tragedy has sparked discussions about the need for stricter safety protocols at large-scale events, particularly for high-profile movie premieres.
