Allu Arjun’s X thread lit up the screen with a heartfelt shout‑out: "Heartfelt congratulations to my director @aryasukku garu! Been awaiting this moment. This award means as much to me as mine. In the end, both of us got National Awards for #PUSHPA. Grateful. 🖤"—a quick, sincere jab that instantly became a meme among fans.
The Pushpa saga burst onto the 2021 Telugu‑cinema scene with a raw, down‑to‑earth portrayal of a labourer‑turned‑smuggler, and Arjun’s swagger in the role earned him the 69th National Film Award for Best Actor—making him the first Telugu star to snag the honour.
Three years later, the sequel, Pushpa: The Rule, roared onto screens in 2024, tightening the narrative around Pushpa Raj’s empire and his clash with Fahadh Faasil’s Bhanwar Singh Shekawat. The film’s razor‑sharp scripts and costume work earned it Best Original Screenplay and Best Costume Design at the 72nd National Film Awards.
This edition saw the Pushpa franchise claiming four National titles in total: Arjun Best Actor, Devi Sri Prasad Best Music Director, Sukumar Best Original Screenplay, and the costume department’s win. The haul also included Yami Gautam Best Actress for Article 370 and Kartik Aaryan & Mammootty sharing Best Actor for their respective films.
For Telugu cinema, the double win is a watershed moment. It signals that regional blockbusters can command both box‑office thunder and critical acclaim, and it sets a new benchmark for future projects. As Arjun and Sukumar gear up for the next chapter, fans can expect an even bolder push for the genre.