As Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun and directed by Sukumar, gears up for its release on December 5, a past interview of noted spiritual leader Garikapati Narasimha Rao has sparked renewed debate on social media.
In the interview, given during the release of Pushpa: The Rise in 2021, Garikapati voiced concerns over the portrayal of red sandalwood smugglers as heroic figures. He criticized the narrative approach, stating, “The entire movie glorifies smuggling, and when questioned, the makers ask the audience to wait for the next part to see the character’s transformation. Is it fair to let society be influenced negatively in the meantime?”
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— Manmohan Miryala (@MiryalaManmohan) November 21, 2024
Garikapati also condemned the popular dialogue “Taggede Le” (I won’t back down), which he claimed had been misused in real life. “A smuggler delivering such a line is inappropriate. It has become a mantra, even influencing youngsters to use it after committing offenses. Such words should be associated with figures of integrity like Harishchandra or Lord Rama, not a smuggler,” he remarked.
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He further called on the makers of the film, including Allu Arjun and Sukumar, to take responsibility, adding that he would not hesitate to demand an explanation.
With the sequel generating massive anticipation, Garikapati’s remarks have resurfaced, reigniting debates about the ethical responsibilities of cinema in shaping societal values.
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