Allu Arjun Essentials: 11 Must-Watch Films of The Pushpa Actor That You Can Stream

Have you heard of the Allu Arjun wave? With the Pushpa film series and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (AVPL) garnering fans across the country, the star is in the brightest stage of his career, carving an indelible space for himself. Be it the iconic hand gesture in Pushpa or his high jinks that left us in stitches in AVPL, the star is known for his unique acting style. 

Two decades into the industry, Allu Arjun’s  filmography — right from his vintage boy-next-door roles to rustic stylistic action films — depicts sheer grit and versatility. On his 41st birthday, let’s look at some of his best films that you can revisit on streaming. 

Arya

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

Can a film age poorly but also gain a cult following over the years? Probably yes. Allu Arjun’s Arya romanticises stalking but also shows the beauty of one-sided love. At its best, the film is a wonderfully written romantic action flick that often leaves you smiling. What more? It is also the first collaboration of the Pushpa duo, Sukumar and Allu Arjun (Now you understand why it's special). 

Much before the pan-Indian phenomenon, there was always a bigger star who opened the door for audiences to explore films from a different industry. Allu Arjun was that Tollywood star for the Malayalis and the dubbed version of Arya was that Telugu film. The hit film got remade in many languages such as Kutty (Tamil), Badha (Bengali), Pagala Premi (Odia) or Adaraye Namayen (Sinhala).  But nothing ever beats the original, does it? 

Vedam

Streaming on: Voot, Aha

This soul-stirring hyperlink film is one for the books. If you are from Tamil Nadu and have watched Silambarasan’s Vaanam (remake of Vedam), you will know what I am talking about. Revolving around five principal characters, the film thrillingly packs in how they all cross paths. 

Julayi

Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar

Director Trivikram and Allu Arjun have collaborated on three different projects — Julayi, S/o Satyamurthy, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo — and every single time, they have given complete entertainers that also stand the test of time. And the seed for such successful projects was sowed with Julayi. An action entertainer centred around a bank robbery, the film is most fun when it doesn’t take itself too seriously. 

Arya 2

Streaming on: YouTube

It’s hard for sequels, spiritual or otherwise, to keep up with the momentum of the successful original and also deliver something beyond that. But Arya 2 is one of Telugu cinema’s rare instances, as it impressed a wide set of audience. With another love triangle at the centre of the narrative, Allu Arjun oozes characteristic charm in this action entertainer.

PS: You might have to sit through a slightly tiring first half,  but the second half more than makes up for it. 

S/o Satyamurthy

Allu Arjun’s best can often be enjoyed when he plays the underdog who comes of age and rises to power. This is the same concept that made Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo an enjoyable romantic comedy. If you love Allu Arjun in this zone, you should definitely watch S/o Satyamurthy. When his father dies, he loses all of their wealth and is soon forced to take up different jobs to care for his family. His signature voice modulations, his crackling chemistry with Samantha and of course the ‘Seethakaalam’ song, make S/o Satyamurthy a fun ride.

Race Gurram

Streaming on: SonyLIV, Amazon Prime Video

Sibling rivalry is at the centre of this mass masala film. You always fight, play pranks and create trouble for your brother, but these actions often always stem from deep affection. So when your brother’s life is under threat, you know what to do. That's what this commercial entertainer is all about. The best parts of this out-and-out Allu Arjun film are brotherly conflicts and a fantastic Bramhanandam as Kill Bill Pandey, that keeps the emotional and comedic beats in check.

Yevadu

Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

Yevadu is an action entertainer that revolves around politics. But more than its plot, the film is known for uniting Allu Arjun (in a cameo) and Ram Charan. They are neither friends nor are they enemies in the film. They don’t even meet each other. But Allu Arjun and Charan are one and the same in Yevadu. Confused? Let’s explain this better: Allu Arjun and Charan get badly injured in two different accidents. While Charan is declared brain dead, Allu Arjun suffers from major burns.

So the doctor comes up with a solution. They take Charan’s skin and do a face transplant for Allu Arjun. As a result, we get Allu Arjun’s soul with Charan’s face. Yes, it may sound ridiculous on paper. But when you get to see both of them in one film, does it really matter if logic takes a backseat? Jokes apart, you eventually get an emotionally-driven action entertainer as Charan (with Allu Arjun’s soul) fights the baddies and brings them to justice.

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (AVPL)

Streaming on: Netflix

Think of feel-good films and AVPL tops the chart in Allu Arjun’s filmography. Multiple things fall right in place in this entertainer — fantastic songs (Hello ‘Butta Bomma’), inventive action sequences, an engaging and emotional plot and of course, above all, an impressive Allu Arjun. When you watch AVPL, besides these creatively staged stunts, watch out for the boardroom scene (you will either find it amusing or cringeworthy, there is no in-between). 

Pushpa

Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

After the Arya series, the successful director-actor duo returned with Pushpa, but this time with more massy fun. In the audio launch of Pushpa, an emotional Allu Arjun recalled how he bought his first car only after Arya’s success and said, “I am nothing without Arya. I am no one without Sukumar.”

If Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo made Allu Arjun famous beyond the borders of the south, Pushpa gained him the “pan-Indian star” tag. “Pushpa ante Flower anukuntiva? Fireee!” — And that simply sums up the mass masala film. Besides seeing your favourite hero in a mass-action avatar, there is some thrill to have him fight a powerful villain (played by Fahadh Faasil). Along with doses of romance and comedy, Pushpa is your perfect package that also features Rashmika Mandanna. Now, with a sequel on cards, what more do we need?

Deshamuduru

Streaming on: YouTube

On Thursday, marking Bunny’s week-long birthday celebrations, many mini-festivals were celebrated in theatres across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Fans threw colour papers in the air and burst crackers as they enjoyed an Allu Arjun film in theatres. The celebrations weren’t for Pushpa or Ala Vaikuntapurathulo, but it was instead for a re-release of a 16-year-old film — Deshamuduru, the actor’s first collaboration with Puri Jagannath. 

Every actor, who starts off with these sweet boy-next-door characters, has that one film that transforms them into a hero; a mass hero. And for Allu Arjun, it was Deshamuduru that tapped into his “rowdy hero” version. If you are a Malayali, you can enjoy its dubbed version, Hero, in theatres this week (it was released as part of his birthday celebrations). And for the rest of us, it is always available on YouTube. 

DJ Duvvada Jagannadham

Streaming on: Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, Zee5

Do you like Allu Arjun when he is at his most restrained or when he goes over the top? Either way, DJ Duvvada Jagannadham is for both sets of audiences. He plays an innocent cook and a stylish vigilante (not a dual role). Unlike the other films in this list, DJ is flawed in more ways than one. It’s loud and bloated, but it’s also fun to watch with fewer emotional stakes. And you get to savour some interesting stunts and his scintillating dance moves. 

With inputs from Sagar Tetali and Mukesh Manjunath.