Rashmika Mandanna Addresses Controversial Dance Moves in Pushpa 2's "Peelings"

The success of Pushpa 2: The Rule has been accompanied by its share of controversies. The movie, starring Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna, has become the third-highest-grossing Indian film with worldwide earnings surpassing ?1500 crore. However, the song "Peelings," featuring bold dance moves, has faced criticism from some viewers for being too suggestive.

In a candid chat with Galatta Plus, Rashmika opened up about her experience. “It came as a surprise because the second we saw the rehearsal video, I was like, ‘What in the world is going on?’ Majority of the time I thought I was dancing on Allu Arjun sir,” she shared. The choreography seemed challenging, and Rashmika admitted it wasn’t easy for her.

Rashmika explained her initial hesitation about the song. “I have a phobia of being lifted, and here is the song where I am only being lifted. I wasn’t very comfortable initially,” she confessed. She credited director Sukumar and co-star Allu Arjun for making her feel at ease. “Once you trust the man, it becomes fun,” she added with a smile.

Speaking about her bold character, Rashmika emphasized her focus on versatility. “If I did doubt myself, it would be impossible to be an actor. I know I am here to entertain and please my director. This is my bread and butter. If I start overthinking, I’ll typecast myself, and I don’t want that,” she explained.

She addressed the mixed reactions to the song calmly. “People can dislike it, but not everything is everybody’s cup of tea. I like to challenge myself and choose diverse roles, whether it’s Animal, Chhava, or Sikandar,” Rashmika remarked.

Despite controversies and a tragic stampede during its premiere in Hyderabad, Pushpa 2 remains a massive success. Directed by Sukumar, it further cements Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna’s prominence in Indian cinema.