Pushpa 2: Fahadh Faasil thought of opting out of Allu Arjun, Rashmika-starrer’s sequel, here’s why | Exclusive

The delay in the much-anticipated sequel of Allu Arjun’s blockbuster Pushpa seems to have also forced a lot of its cast members to shift around their plans. In fact, Fahadh Faasil, who played the antagonist in Pushpa: The Rise and was expected to have a longer presence in Pushpa: The Rule, had reportedly considered dropping out of Sukumar’s directorial.

OTTPlay has exclusively learnt that the Malayalam star had expressed his wish to opt out of the film and had even allotted dates to several Mollywood projects, all of which are now put on hold. Fahadh had signed Sudheesh Shankar’s Hanuman Gear, which was supposed to go on floors in November, and Althaf Salim’s romcom Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira.

Also read: Exclusive! Fahadh Faasil: Malayankunju is the toughest film I have done, we had to crouch, crawl to shoot it 

A source from the industry tells us, “Fahadh had initially decided to opt out of Pushpa 2 but there was pressure from the makers of the film as well as due to his prior commitment with them. That’s why the Malayalam movies that he had signed have been pushed further.”

The source says that though the actor is yet to begin shooting for the Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna-starrer, he has now allotted his dates in 2023. “Hanuman Gear’s filming will only begin after he completes his portions for the movie,” says the source, adding that the actor could join the sets of the Malayalam film only by March or April of 2023.

Pushpa: The Rule was expected to begin shooting earlier this year, with an eye on a December 2022 release. However, post the massive success of Pushpa: The Rise, the team wanted to increase the scale of the project to make it “bigger and better”. The film is now rumoured to be a March or April 2024 release. Incidentally, there were also rumours that Rashmika Mandanna, who played Srivalli in Pushpa, could also be replaced in the film, with Sai Pallavi and Aishwarya Rajesh's names being floated as the female lead of the sequel. The makers, however, are yet officially confirm the development. 

Fahadh, who was last seen in Malayankunju in Malayalam, meanwhile has Akhil Sathyan’s Pachuvum Athbhuthavilakum gearing up for release. The film, which is a feel-good drama, is expected to hit theatres in the first quarter of 2023.