When Samantha Ruth Prabhu set the internet ablaze in 2021 with Pushpa: The Rise‘s iconic number “Oo Antava,” she redefined what it meant to own an on-screen moment. Her performance, laced with a daring aura and sharp satire, became the talk of the town, cementing its place in pop culture history. The song, with its commentary on the male gaze, struck a provocative balance—both critiquing and pandering to it—creating a phenomenon that lived beyond its initial release.
Fast forward to Pushpa 2: The Rule, and Sreeleela faced the monumental challenge of following in those bold footsteps with the much-hyped number “Kissik.” Promoted as a successor to “Oo Antava,” with its dimly lit, sultry visuals, and the added star power of Allu Arjun joining in, the song carried enormous expectations. However, “Kissik” struggled to recreate the magic of its predecessor, leaving fans divided. While the chemistry between Allu Arjun and Sreeleela was noted, the overall impact seemed to pale in comparison to Samantha’s electrifying presence in “Oo Antava.”
Social media reactions underscored the mixed sentiment, with comments like “Disappointed 😔,” “Samantha was better 🙌,” and “Not even close to Oo Antava” dominating the discourse. Despite its decent visuals and catchy beats, “Kissik” failed to achieve the viral success of its predecessor, showing just how high the bar was set by Samantha’s unforgettable performance