19 January 2023
Hyderabad

After being shot for close to 10 days so far, the new schedule of Icon star Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa: The Rule, written and directed by Sukumar, will commence in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. “The famous Port area and other parts of Vizag will host this schedule which will go on for 20 days. Hyderabad schedule follows soon after,” a source close to the unit told us exclusively.

The makers will also be shooting in Maredumilli forest, East Godavari, where the first part was extensively shot, and Bangkok once they get the combination dates of all other actors of the film. “Sukumar is looking to complete the shooting formalities with the Bangkok schedule. As of now, the target is to wrap up the film by August or September-end,” the source adds.

As far as the casting goes, there’s a new addition. Sukumar has roped in Jagapathi Babu for a key supporting role. While the nature of his role is under wraps, our source adds that in the context of the narrative; it carries its own importance. The actor has earlier collaborated with Sukumar for Nannaku Prematho and Rangasthalam, where he played characters with mean streak. He received plaudits for the way he went about enacting both those parts.

Set in the backdrop of red sanders smuggling in the Seshachalam Hills of Andhra Pradesh, Pushpa: The Rule, which is a red-hot venture in the trade all across India, will see Pushpa’s reign as he is now the head of smuggling syndicate, while also focusing on his tiff with SP Bhanwar Singh Shekawat (played by Malayalam big cheese Fahadh Faasil) who is keen to settle scores with him after being humiliated (towards the end of the first part). Rashmika Mandanna, Sunil, Anasuya, Jagadeesh, Dhananjaya and Rao Ramesh will be reprising their parts once again. The technical composition includes Devi Sri Prasad (for music) and Miroslaw Kuba (cinematography).

-NAGARAJ GOUD