Sukumar’s Best Screenplay win for Pushpa 2 at the 72nd National Film Awards has turned into one of the most debated decisions of this year’s awards. A large section of social media questioned how Pushpa 2 managed to beat films like Vijay Sethupathi’s Maharaja, Amar Singh Chamkila, Laapataa Ladies, and several others which had far stronger writing and more inventive screenplays.
One user wrote, “No disrespect to Sukumar, but I can’t accept how his screenplay was considered the best of the year. A screenplay is the backbone of a film, and many viewers felt this was the weakest part of Pushpa 2. There were so many brilliantly written films that pushed the boundaries of storytelling. Year by year, the National Awards are losing their credibility and relevance.”
Several fans pointed out that Pushpa 2 lacked Sukumar’s trademark layered writing and narrative grip. According to them, the film’s success was driven more by Allu Arjun’s performance, the popularity of Pushpa: The Rise, and the sequel’s massive hype than by its screenplay.
The debate soon turned into a meme fest. One viral meme imagined Sukumar himself saying, “Pushpa 2 screenplay naake nachaledhu… meekela National Award ivvali anipinchindhi raa?”
Another fan wrote, “I’m a big fan of Sukumar and his work. But giving Pushpa 2 the Best Screenplay award is an insult to your own legacy.” Many agreed with the sentiment, arguing that classics like Arya, 1: Nenokkadine, Rangasthalam, and even Pushpa: The Rise showcased far stronger writing than the sequel.
Sukumar: Pushpa 2 screenplay naake nachaledhu meekela national award ivvali anipinchindhi raa https://t.co/m02omRdWJY pic.twitter.com/h8iqZMKBMT
— Stochastic Carrot (@trueambivert) July 18, 2026
sukumar at national awards pic.twitter.com/3mF6nOGZ22
— PJ (@filmisconstant) July 19, 2026
