Amid much anticipation and excitement, Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil’s Pushpa 2: The Rule hit theatres on December 5. Among the film’s many highlights, the Gangamma Jathara sequence has stood out as one of the biggest talking points on the internet. In the said sequence, Allu Arjun’s character, Pushpa Raj, is seen draped in a saree and performing a ritual.
The scene goes beyond merely recreating the traditional ritual celebrated in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati and Chittoor regions. According to media reports, the age-old custom involves men donning sarees and jewellry as an offering to Goddess Gangamma, believing that their prayers and wishes will be fulfilled.
In the videos shared by Telugu Scribe on X (formerly known as Twitter), two women appeared to go out of control after watching the powerful scene. In one of the clips, a woman dressed in a saree is seen sitting on the theatre floor, visibly overwhelmed. As the situation unfolded, several people gathered around her, offering support and helping her return to her seat.
However, The Free Press Journal couldn’t verify in which theatres the videos were shot. Take a look:
Soon after the videos were posted, some users called it a ‘PR move’. However, one of the users said that it really happened and he was an eyewitness.
“Yes, it’s is true…I was sitting in the back row,” the user wrote.
Refusing to believe, another user commented, “It’s just paid hype, right?” and a third person wrote, “What kind of hype is this, dude?” along with laughing emoticons.
Scene censored in Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, the much-discussedJathara sequence has been reportedly removed from the version of Pushpa 2 screened in Saudi Arabia, leading to a 19-minute reduction in the film’s overall runtime.
This move was reportedly made to respect the cultural and religious sensitivities prevalent in the region.
Pushpa 2 release in India
The release of Pushpa 2 has generated quite a buzz across India and fans are leaving no stone unturned to express their excitement. The film has shattered box office records and cemented itself as one of the biggest films of Indian cinema.
In just one day, Pushpa 2 earned Rs 175 crore in India and trade analysts have predicted that it is expected to earn nearly Rs 300 crore on the first day, globally. On the second day of its release, the Sukumar-directorial crossed Rs 400 crore worldwide.
