Allu Arjun’s much-awaited film Pushpa 2: The Rule has encountered censorship in Saudi Arabia, where a scene featuring Hindu deities was removed, leading to a 19-minute cut in the film’s runtime.
The specific scene cut was the Gangamma Jathara sequence, which is an important part of the film. These changes were made to accommodate the cultural and religious sensitivities of Saudi Arabia. As a result, the film’s final runtime was shortened to 3 hours and 1 minute, after several edits, according to trade analyst Manobala Vijayabalan’s post on X.
In India Today’s review of Pushpa 2, the Gangamma Jathara scene is described as a major highlight, with Allu Arjun’s character, Pushpa Raj, dressed in a saree performing a ritual to honor the goddess. The sequence, which includes trance-like and romantic dances, as well as a fight scene, has been noted for its length.
The Gangamma Jathara is a vibrant and traditional folk festival celebrated in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, to honor the local deity, Gangamma Talli, who is believed to protect her followers from harm and bless them with prosperity.
Pushpa 2 continues the story of its lead character, Pushpa Raj, portrayed by Allu Arjun, as the sequel to the hit film Pushpa.