When Allu Arjun walked up to the stage at SIIMA 2025 in Dubai to pick up his Best Actor award, the atmosphere was already electric. But nobody expected what followed. In one of the most talked-about moments of the evening, director Sukumar at last confirmed what fans around the world have been eagerly anticipating: Pushpa 3: The Rampage is formally in the works.
The news, dropped into a playful aside on stage, was sufficient to throw the internet into a tizzy. For people in the audience, it was a thrilling moment, a reminder of just how far beyond the movies this franchise has expanded to become a full-blown cultural phenomenon.
A Night of Victories
The Pushpa 2: The Rule team walked into SIIMA already carrying the weight of expectations after dominating the box office in 2024. But by the end of the night, they walked out with five of the most prestigious honors.
• Allu Arjun clinched Best Actor, making it his third consecutive SIIMA win.
• Rashmika Mandanna was named Best Actress for her heartfelt performance as Srivalli.
• Sukumar took home the Best Director trophy.
• Music maestro Devi Sri Prasad added another feather to his cap with the Best Music Composer award.
• Shankar Babu Kandukuri earned Best Playback Singer (Male) for the chart-topping track Peelings.
It was a sweep that underlined the franchise’s dominance, not just at the box office, but also in the hearts of audiences and critics alike.
The Big Reveal
The most talked-about moment, however, came when the hosts playfully referenced Fahadh Faasil’s now-iconic line from Pushpa 2, “Party ledha Pushpa?” (Is there no party, Pushpa?). With the audience roaring in approval, they nudged Sukumar about whether fans could expect another chapter in the saga.
Sukumar, always a man of few but weighty words, glanced at Allu Arjun and producer Naveen Yerneni before smiling and replying, “Obviously, Pushpa 3 undi.” (Obviously, there will be Pushpa 3.)
That one line was enough to set social media on fire. In minutes, the hashtags #Pushpa3 and #PushpaTheRampage were creating waves globally. Fans flooded timelines with congratulatory tweets, memes, and fan speculations on where the story could go from there.
Allu Arjun’s Emotional Note
Just after the victories, Allu Arjun shared his gratitude on social media. His note was both humble and deeply personal:
“Thank you, SIIMA, for the constant love & recognition. Winning 3 back-to-back SIIMA Awards is truly a humbling moment. Congratulations to all the winners & nominees. This credit goes to my director, @aryasukku garu, for making this happen, my artists, my technicians, my producers, and the entire crew of Pushpa. And I dedicate these awards to my fans. for the unrelenting love & support. Humbled.
This entry posted how Arjun’s experience with Pushpa has come so near home. For him, the character isn’t really a performance; it’s teamwork with his director, rapport with his crew, and most of all, an offering to his people.
The Journey So Far
To know why the confirmation of Pushpa 3 has made such waves, one needs to trace back how the franchise developed.
When Pushpa: The Rise came out in 2021, it came at a time when theaters were recovering from the pandemic. But the film went on to break records, raking in over ₹350 crore worldwide and becoming the top hit of the year. Its raw storytelling, Allu Arjun’s chiseled calm, and DSP’s unforgettable music (Srivalli and Oo Antava were standouts) made it a phenomenon.
That was followed by Pushpa 2: The Rule in 2024, and the figure went through the roof. The sequel broke past ₹1871 crore worldwide and became the top-grossing Indian film of the year and the second-highest of all time after Dangal. The character of Pushpa Raj had gone from being a local smuggler to a pan-Indian pop culture icon.
What Lies Ahead with Pushpa 3
While Sukumar hasn’t revealed much about the story, the title itself, Pushpa 3: The Rampage, suggests a darker, more explosive chapter. Fans are already speculating about what lies ahead for Pushpa Raj, Srivalli, and their clash with Fahadh Faasil’s chilling cop, Bhanwar Singh Shekawat.
Will Pushpa finally achieve the legitimacy he craves, or will his world of power and chaos spiral out of control? One thing is for sure: Sukumar and his crew are getting set to break boundaries again, both narratively and in terms of scale.
A Franchise Unlike Any Other
From humble roots to becoming an international behemoth, Pushpa has rewritten the script of Indian cinema. It has transcended languages, borders, and cultures. Its dialogues are recited in villages and on memes as well. Its songs get played at weddings and nightclubs with the same vibrancy. And its hero, Pushpa Raj, is a poster boy for grit, ambition, and defiance.
With Pushpa 3 already in the pipeline, the ride is hardly over. If anything, it feels like the fire has only just been lit. As Sukumar said with that signature smile, “Obviously, Pushpa 3 undi.”
And for millions of fans worldwide, that’s the party they’ve been waiting for.