Allu Arjun’s Odisha connection is deep & old; not Pushpa 2, Bunny’s first blockbuster was shot here

Bhubaneswar, April 19:  Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna are back in the headlines after the makers stunned everyone with the teaser and the first poster of Pushpa 2: The Rule . While movie lovers are excited to explore more about the movie, the excitement has leveled up among moviegoers in Odisha after the report of Pushpa 2 shooting in Odisha’s Malkangiri was confirmed.

Certainly, Bunny has a huge fan base in different regions of Odisha. With the massive success of Pushpa: The Rise, his fandom sprawled more. The hangover of Pushpa is yet to get over and now everyone is eagerly waiting for the arrival of Pushpa aka Pushparaj.

Indeed, Pushpa 2 is not the first movie planned to be shot in Odisha. Earlier, several South movies have been shot in different parts of the State. But, did you know, the sequel is even not the first movie of Bunny in Odisha?

Yes, you heard it right. Bunny’s first blockbuster was shot in Odisha.

Though the Happy actor made his debut in 2003 with Gangotri, however, his blockbuster was 2004’s Arya. Pushpa’s director Sukumar also made his debut with Arya. Produced by Dil Raju, the movie also starred Anu Mehta and Siva Balaji. The movie emerged as a blockbuster and was later remade in different languages including Odia.

The Odia movie titled Pagala Premi starred Sabyasachi Mishra and Arpita Mukherjee as the lead and was directed by Hara Patnaik. Sabyasachi made his debut and became an overnight star following the movie’s success.

But, did you know, Arya was shot in Odisha’s Rayagada?

Bunny’s fans must be remembering the sequence when Arya helps Geetanjali and Ajay to escape. Meanwhile, while escaping they get chased by a group of hooligans. The trio reached a railway station and boarded a train. Just as the trio is seen running on the platform towards the train, the station name is visible in the background. They boarded the train at Singapur Road Junction railway station, which is located near Rayagada where Koraput–Rayagada railway line meets Vizianagaram–Raipur mainline.

-OTV