Means as much as mine: Allu Arjun celebrates director Sukumar's National Award

Tollywood star Allu Arjun has a special reason to celebrate director Sukumar’s National Award win. After the Pushpa director picked up Best Original Screenplay for Pushpa: The Rule at the 72nd National Film Awards, the actor shared a note to point out a rather satisfying full-circle moment – both he and his director now have National Awards for the Pushpa franchise.“Heartfelt congratulations to my director @aryasukku garu! Been awaiting this moment. This award means as much to me as mine. In the end, both of us got National Awards for #PUSHPA. Grateful (sic),” Allu Arjun wrote on X.See his post here:There’s history behind that sentiment. Allu Arjun won the Best Actor award at the 69th National Film Awards for Pushpa: The Rise, becoming the first Telugu actor to win the honour in the category. Now, with Sukumar’s screenplay win for the sequel, the Pushpa franchise has picked up four National Film Awards. Sukumar’s win also adds another layer to what has been a rather rewarding awards journey for the two films. Pushpa: The Rise won Allu Arjun the Best Actor honour and also brought home Best Music Director for Devi Sri Prasad. Pushpa: The Rule has now added Best Original Screenplay and Best Costume Design to the franchise’s tally.Allu Arjun and Sukumar’s Pushpa journeyThe Pushpa story began in 2021 with Pushpa: The Rise. Allu Arjun played Pushpa Raj, a daily-wage labourer who climbs his way up the red sanders smuggling trade. The film, also starring Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil, became a major success across India and turned Pushpa into a franchise that reached well beyond its Telugu roots. Three years later, Pushpa: The Rule continued Pushpa Raj’s story. The 2024 sequel followed his growing influence, his relationship with Srivalli and his increasingly bitter battle with Fahadh’s Bhanwar Singh Shekawat.Now, Sukumar’s screenplay has received the National Film Award recognition, something Allu Arjun had clearly been waiting to see. His message makes the personal nature of the win clear: for the actor, Sukumar’s award isn’t just another honour for the franchise. It feels like the other half of a journey they started together. The 72nd National Film Awards also recognised several other films and performers. Yami Gautam won Best Actress for Article 370, while Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty shared the Best Actor honour for Chandu Champion and Bramayugam.Rajkumar Periasamy won Best Director for Amaran, while Article 370 was named Best Feature Film. Kalki 2898 AD won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and veteran actor Anant Nag received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.- EndsPublished On: Sep 23, 2026 06:56 IST