Icon star Allu Arjun’s massive popularity in Kerala has been well-established. Thanks to films like Happy, which became a surprise hit in the state despite being a flop elsewhere, his fanbase only strengthened with hits like Arya 2, Badrinath, Race Gurram, and especially Pushpa: The Rise.
Despite Allu Arjun’s dedicated promotions in Kerala, including the strategic use of Malayalam lyrics in the hit song Peelings and his declaration of being an “adopted son” of the state, Pushpa 2 underperformed in the region.
The film grossed around Rs. 6 crore on its opening day, far below the expected Rs. 10 crore mark. By the second day, collections dropped by nearly 50%, raising concerns about its future box-office run in Kerala.
The film’s mass-action style, tailored for Hindi and Telugu rural audiences, seemed less appealing to the more content-driven Malayalam audience. Kerala’s cine-goers prefer films with strong narratives and realistic treatment, making Pushpa 2’s high-octane action sequences and commercial formula less effective.
Fahadh Faasil, a beloved actor in Malayalam cinema, had limited screen time and a less impactful role in the sequel. Given his character’s strong setup at the end of Pushpa: The Rise, fans may have expected a more significant arc for him.
The film opened to a divided talk, with several Malayalam viewers expressing disappointment over predictable storytelling and over-the-top action scenes. While this formula worked well in the Telugu-speaking states and North India, Kerala audiences were more critical.
Despite the slow start, Pushpa 2 could still recover some ground if positive word-of-mouth picks up over the coming weekends. The lack of major Malayalam releases until late December might work in its favor.
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