Allu Arjun May Create His Own Superhero Universe

Busy star Allu Arjun is in what is being described as phase 3.0, which signals a clear shift in both genre and style. The Pushpa actor has three big-ticket projects with filmmakers Atlee, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Basil Joseph, all strongly rooted in Indian folklore and fantasy. Does it mean that he’s experimenting with a new genre for himself? The answer is in the affirmative.

“Indian cinema, despite its rich treasure trove of folklore and mythology, has never fully capitalised on fantasy and superhero storytelling. Allu Arjun is enterprising, but rather than merely exploring, he is attempting to create a new language in cinematic verse,” says a well-informed source.

Sceptics question the space for homegrown superheroes, given the recent success of gritty, testosterone-driven narratives. However, trade specialists say there is indeed room.

“With Allu Arjun, it has always been about arriving slightly ahead of the shift. He turned Pushpa into a cultural movement. The films with Atlee, Lokesh and Basil, though unrelated, are VFX-driven fantastical narratives that remain heavily rooted. There is certainly an audience for it — the recent success of Minnal Murali, Brahmastra and Hanu-Man are testament to that. Look at Ranbir — he is doing Ramayana. Lord Rama is the ultimate Superman,” says an industry insider.

“Indian cinema, despite its rich treasure trove of folklore and mythology, has never fully capitalised on fantasy and superhero storytelling. Allu Arjun is enterprising, but rather than merely exploring, he is attempting to create a new language in cinematic verse,” says a well-informed source.

“With Allu Arjun, it has always been about arriving slightly ahead of the shift. He turned Pushpa into a cultural movement. The films with Atlee, Lokesh and Basil, though unrelated, are VFX-driven fantastical narratives that remain heavily rooted. There is certainly an audience for it — the recent success of Minnal Murali, Brahmastra and Hanu-Man are testament to that. Look at Ranbir — he is doing Ramayana. Lord Rama is the ultimate Superman,” says an industry insider.