Pushpa: The Rise is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Sukumar. It stars Allu Arjun as the title character alongside Fahadh Faasil (his Telugu debut), and Rashmika Mandanna while Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari, Sunil, Raj Tirandasu, Rao Ramesh, Dhananjaya, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Ajay and Ajay Ghosh play supporting roles. It is produced by Mythri Movie Makers in association with Muttamsetty Media. The first installment in the Pushpa film series, the film depicts the rise of a coolie Pushpa Raj in the smuggling syndicate of red sandalwood, a rare wood that grows only in the Seshachalam Hills of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh state.
Devi Sri Prasad composed the film's score and soundtrack while the cinematography and editing are performed by Miroslaw Kuba Brozek and Karthika Srinivas–Ruben respectively. The 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.
Pushpa: The Rise was released on 17 December 2021 in Telugu along with dubbed versions in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi languages. The film received generally mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances (particularly of Allu Arjun, Sunil and Fahadh Faasil), action choreography, cinematography, direction, dialogues, and soundtrack but criticised the runtime, writing, and editing. The film was commercially successful, grossing - at the box office. It became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2021, and ranks among the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time.
At the 69th National Film Awards, Pushpa: The Rise won 2 awards – Best Actor (Arjun) and Best Music Direction (Prasad). At the 67th Filmfare Awards South, the film received 8 nominations, including Best Actress – Telugu (Mandanna), and won 7 awards, including Best Film – Telugu, Best Director – Telugu (Sukumar) and Best Actor – Telugu (Arjun).
A sequel titled Pushpa 2: The Rule is under production and is scheduled to release on 15 August 2024.
Plot
In the 1990s, labourer Pushpa Raj decides to smuggle red sandalwood with his friend Kesava. He moves up the ranks in smuggler Konda Reddy's group while evading DSP Govindappa. Konda's brother Jaali hates Pushpa for getting more attention from his brother. Konda's boss, Srinu, entrusts Konda to keep his contraband safe from the Police Department, and Pushpa is assigned to the task. Jaali intentionally sabotages Pushpa so he'll get caught by the police, but Pushpa and Kesava use their quick thinking to avoid getting caught. Pushpa finds out Srinu is scamming his workers and tells Konda, but he refuses to go up against the powerful Srinu.
Pushpa falls in love with Srivalli, and an engagement is arranged. During the ceremony, Pushpa's elder half-brother Mohan makes a scene, revealing Pushpa is illegitimate. In the ensuing scuffle, Pushpa's mother gets hurt, which motivates him to make his way up. He bypasses Srinu, and is able to get a higher profit for the wood that he agrees to split with Konda. Jaali discovers Srivalli's father is a mole for Govindappa; lusting after Srivalli, Jaali blackmails her to sleep with him to save her father. Srivalli tells Pushpa, who beats Jaali and leaves him paralyzed. Jaali doesn't tell Konda who beat him, wanting to kill Pushpa himself, but Konda discovers the truth on his own.
Konda attempts to kill Pushpa, but they're attacked by Srinu's men and brother-in-law, Mogileesu, who kills Konda Reddy. Pushpa rescues Konda's younger brother Jakka, rekindling their partnership, and murders Mogileesu. MP Naidu arranges a truce between Pushpa and Srinu, but after discovering about the latter's scams, he appoints Pushpa to replace Srinu. As time goes by, Pushpa takes control of the entire syndicate.
Govindappa resigns, and Bhanwar Singh Shekawat takes charge. Pushpa offers a bribe to Shekawat, but Shekawat ridicules Pushpa due to arrogance. After this incident, Pushpa ostensibly turns meek and submissive towards Shekawat, but on the day of his marriage, Pushpa gets his revenge on Shekawat, revealing that he promised his mother he would stay safe and not get into trouble before his wedding day.