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The Pushpa franchise has garnered widespread viewership, making the story of the eccentric sandalwood smuggler, portrayed by Allu Arjun, familiar to most. However, the character has not been without its share of criticism. Even before the release of Pushpa 2, the franchise had already stirred debate, especially after Allu Arjun received the National Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Pushpa.
Some critics raised concerns that the recognition could be interpreted as a government endorsement of sandalwood smuggling, potentially negatively influencing society. With the release of Pushpa 2, the criticism has only intensified. Sukumar, the director of both Pushpa films, has responded to the criticism surrounding the franchise.
According to the director, the films are intended solely for entertainment and are not meant to promote or encourage criminal behavior. He expressed concern over accusations that the movies are anti-national or could provoke youth, calling such statements troubling. The filmmaker further emphasized that his goal is to entertain audiences, and if his films draw people to theaters, they could actually contribute to decreasing crime rates.
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By enjoying the movie in theaters, audiences choose entertainment over engaging in illegal activities. “Calling my film anti-national or accusing it of provoking youth is the most troubling statement anyone can make against me. I create films to entertain audiences, and if my three-hour film keeps people in theaters, then crime rates will actually go down,” Sukumar stated.
