“Pushpa: The Rise” is a film that tells the story of a man who rises from humble beginnings to become a powerful figure in the world of illegal red sandalwood smuggling. The film, written and directed by Sukumar, stars Allu Arjun as the titular character Pushpa Raj, and also features Fahadh Faasil in his Telugu debut, as well as Rashmika Mandanna, Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari, Sunil, Rao Ramesh, Dhananjaya, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Ajay and Ajay Ghosh in supporting roles.
This film is set in the Seshachalam Hills of Andhra Pradesh state, where red sandalwood is found and in high demand. This film began its production in December 2019 but was halted in March 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming resumed in November 2020 and ended in November 2021, predominantly taking place at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad and Maredumilli forest in Andhra Pradesh.
This film was released on 17th December 2021 and received generally mixed reviews from critics who praised the performances (particularly of Allu Arjun, Sunil and Fahadh Faasil), action sequences, cinematography, direction, and soundtrack but criticised the runtime and editing. The film was commercially successful, grossing ₹350.3–₹373 crore at the box office. The film emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film in 2021, and ranks among the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time.
Review of the Storyline
The story of “Pushpa: The Rise” is a powerful one that showcases the struggles and triumphs of a common man in his quest to rise above his circumstances. The film starts with Pushpa Raj, a daily wage laborer, who decides to smuggle red sandalwood, a rare wood in high demand that only grows in the Seshachalam Hills of Andhra Pradesh state. With the help of his friend Keshava, Pushpa starts to smuggle the wood and earns the trust of his employer Konda Reddy and becomes his 5% partner.
But, Pushpa’s journey is not an easy one as he faces many challenges like the raid by DSP Govindappa and his team, rivalry with Konda Reddy’s youngest brother Jolly Reddy and much more. However, Pushpa’s determination and quick thinking help him overcome these obstacles and he rises through the ranks of the smuggling syndicate.
One of the most interesting aspects of the story is the character development of Pushpa. He starts off as a simple laborer, but as he faces more and more challenges, he becomes a more confident and assertive person. This is shown in how he handles the raid by Govindappa, how he deals with Jolly Reddy’s attempts to sabotage him, and how he eventually takes over the smuggling syndicate from Mangalam Srinu. The film also explores Pushpa’s personal life, showing his love story with Srivalli and the struggles he faces with his family, particularly with his elder half-brother Mohan. These personal elements add depth to the story and make the audience care more about Pushpa and his journey.
The film also deals with the theme of power and corruption. It shows how people in positions of power use their influence to exploit and oppress others, and how those without power have to resort to illegal means to survive. The character of Srinu is a perfect example of this. He is a ruthless and oppressive man who uses his power to control the smuggling syndicate and exploit the labors like Pushpa. The film also deals with the theme of redemption. Pushpa’s rise to power is not just about making money, it’s also about him wanting to be accepted and respected by the society which rejected him due to his background.
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Character Analysis
One of the strongest aspects of “Pushpa: The Rise” is the performances of the actors. Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj gives a powerful performance that captures the character’s determination and inner turmoil. He is able to convey a wide range of emotions, from the hopelessness and despair he feels at the beginning of the film to the confidence and assertiveness he develops as the story progresses. Fahadh Faasil as SP Bhanwar Singh Shekawat, is also noteworthy in his role as the ruthless police officer who is determined to bring Pushpa down. His portrayal of the character is both menacing and charismatic.
Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli, Pushpa’s love interest, is also fantastic in her role. She brings a strong sense of independence and resilience to the character, making her a perfect match for Pushpa. The supporting cast is also strong, with standout performances by Sunil as Mangalam Srinu, Dhananjaya as Jolly Reddy, and Ajay Ghosh as Konda Reddy.
Technical Aspects
The technical aspects of the film are also noteworthy. The cinematography by Miroslaw Kuba Brozek is stunning, capturing the beauty of the Seshachalam Hills and the gritty realism of the smuggling operations. The action sequences are also well choreographed and executed. The editing by Karthika Srinivas–Ruben is also effective, keeping the pace of the film moving and the story clear. The music and background score by Devi Sri Prasad adds to the film’s overall impact, particularly in the action sequences and emotional scenes.