Allu Arjun rose to pan-India fame with the ‘Pushpa’ franchise, directed by Sukumar. One of the most iconic scenes from the films remains the actor’s saree look in the sequel, ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’. Recently, the actor called it “the most alpha thing,” saying his decision to wear a saree was an unexpected move for a male star.Allu Arjun is featured on the cover of Forbes India’s Showstoppers 2026. The edition celebrates 100 of India’s biggest celebrities from entertainment and sports.
Allu Arjun talks about Pushpa’s success
During a conversation with Forbes India, speaking about the success of ‘Pushpa’, the actor said the franchise changed the way he looks at Indian cinema. “Pushpa’s success has inspired me to take Indian cinema to another level,” he said.
Allu Arjun talks about his ‘Pushpa’ look
Allu Arjun’s saree look was part of the Gangamma Jathara sequence. The ritual is connected to the worship of Gangamma Thalli in the Tirupati region and traditionally includes men dressing as women.
Why Allu Arjun wore a saree in the film
For the sequence, Allu Arjun wore a saree, jewellery and makeup along with blue body paint. The scene was also important to the story. Allu Arjun revealed that director Sukumar first suggested the unusual look after feeling that a more normal macho appearance was not working.“I would say the most alpha thing I’ve ever done is to play a woman,” he said. Allu Arjun also shared what he believes is most important when making a film for a large audience. “Deliver a great film. The rest will take care of itself,” he said.
Allu Arjun’s next films
On the work front, Allu Arjun is currently shooting with ‘Jawan’ fame director Atlee on the upcoming sci-fi action film. The film stars Deepika Padukone as the female lead and also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Janhvi Kapoor.He will also work with Lokesh Kanagaraj on the tentatively titled ‘AA23’. Meanwhile, ‘Pushpa 3: The Rampage’ is also in development.The list also includes names such as Virat Kohli, Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh.