Allu Arjun Recalls Sari Look In Pushpa 2: ‘Most Alpha Thing I’ve Ever Done’

Allu Arjun has spoken about the creative risk behind one of the most striking sequences in the Pushpa franchise, revealing why he agreed to portray a woman in a saree.

In an interview with Forbes India, the actor recalled the decision to take on the unconventional look and described it as one of the boldest choices he has made as a male star. “I would say the most alpha thing I’ve ever done is to play a woman,” Allu Arjun said.

The actor appears on the cover of Forbes India’s Showstoppers 2026, a special edition featuring 100 of the country’s biggest personalities from entertainment and sport. Among those featured are Virat Kohli, Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh.

HOW PUSHPA CHANGED ALLU ARJUN’S CAREER

The success of the Pushpa films transformed Allu Arjun’s reach, taking his popularity well beyond Telugu cinema.

Pushpa: The Rise introduced audiences across India to Pushpa Raj, while Pushpa 2: The Rule turned the character into an even bigger pan-India phenomenon.

Speaking about the franchise’s impact, Allu Arjun said its success encouraged him to set bigger ambitions for Indian cinema.

“Pushpa’s success has inspired me to take Indian cinema to another level,” he said.

The actor believes that the key to reaching a mass audience ultimately comes down to the quality of the film.

“Deliver a great film. The rest will take care of itself,” he said.

THE STORY BEHIND THE SAREE LOOK

One of the most memorable portions of Pushpa 2 was the Gangamma Jathara sequence, in which Allu Arjun’s Pushpa appears in an elaborate feminine avatar.

The look featured a saree, jewellery, makeup and blue body paint. It was inspired by the traditional Gangamma Jathara celebrations associated with Gangamma Thalli in the Tirupati region, where men traditionally dress as women as part of the rituals.

The transformation was also significant to the film’s storyline.

Allu Arjun revealed that director Sukumar initially suggested the unusual appearance after a more conventional, macho version of the character did not fit what he wanted from the sequence.

Instead of resisting the idea, the actor embraced the challenge and committed himself to the role.

His willingness to step outside the conventional image of a male action hero ultimately resulted in one of Pushpa 2’s most visually distinctive sequences.

ALLU ARJUN’S UPCOMING PROJECTS

After the enormous success of the Pushpa franchise, Allu Arjun has several ambitious projects lined up.

He is currently shooting Raaka, a sci-fi action film directed by Atlee, which also features Deepika Padukone and Rashmika Mandanna.

The actor is also expected to work with Lokesh Kanagaraj on the tentatively titled AA23.

Meanwhile, the Pushpa story is set to continue, with Pushpa 3: The Rampage in development.

From a regional star to one of India’s biggest pan-India names, Allu Arjun’s career continues to be defined by scale — and his decision to embrace a saree-clad avatar in Pushpa 2 shows that he is willing to challenge expectations along the way.