Pushpa - The Rise

In the heart of South India, a world of red sandalwood smuggling thrives, weaving in and out of law and order. This is the domain of the powerful people who control the illicit trade, where men are as ruthless as the trees that produce the highly prized and valuable wood. This is the world into which Pushpa Raj is born, a man who will rise from the ranks of the lower class to become one of the most notorious names in this desert of illicit activity. Pushpa Raj is a young coolie, working at the local red sandalwood market, loading trucks, fixing lorries, and performing manual labour as an average lower-class man would in this remote region. Born into poverty, Pushpa's early life experiences have groomed him for eventual rebellion against the society that seems unfairly stacked against him. Amidst the daily drudgery of his life as an ordinary coolie, Pushpa isn't satisfied with his fate and the limited opportunities presented to him by the rigid societal hierarchy of his under-privileged surroundings. The man who plays a significant role in igniting Pushpa's fire of dissent is Bhanwar, the head of a larger syndicate based in Rajasthan. Bhanwar, who also operates as a supplier of red sandalwood, meets Pushpa upon one of his visits to the region. Upon crossing paths, the two men establish an alliance for Pushpa to bring the valuable wood from the Andhra Pradesh region to Bhanwar in Rajasthan, thus setting in motion Pushpa's journey into the world of the powerful people involved in the red sandalwood trade. As events unfold, Pushpa's role in the syndicate grows stronger. However, this growing success isn't without its price. When push comes to shove, and decisions are needed to be made at the expense of others, Pushpa finds himself morally conflicted. The more he finds his footing in the business of smuggling red sandalwood, the more he confronts difficult choices that force him to confront the harsh realities of this world, which have left him disenchanted and a little troubled. One of the key people who turns the tide for Pushpa isn't his close acquaintance Bhanwar, but another character, a strong-willed, intriguing woman named Tamanna, known to everyone as Sunniva. She teaches Pushpa new ways of getting the upper hand and coping with the various events unfolding due to Bhanwer who now wants to keep a part of the cut for him for what Pushpa collects from the region , so creating a disagreement and distance in their former camaraderie. Also complicating Pushpa's life is the presence of Sukku Venkata, a member of the police force's intelligence department who is as resourceful and clever as he is unscrupulous in his means. He senses the opportunity of entangling Pushpa in a dilemma that they may not come out of, on the other hand at the same time forming a cordial relationship, that leaves the crowd puzzled. Pushpa's path includes the untimely death of Bhanwar due to his arrogance in considering the law at far distance. The changing circumstances necessitate a transition in leadership, creating more chaos in the industry. Pushpa has gained significant notoriety and faces opposition from both the smugglers' syndicate as well as law enforcement, now forcing him to play all his cards to survive and secure his place in the world where he has been thrust into the limelight. With his back against the wall and with Tamanna's assistance, Pushpa comes up with an ingenious plan. Utilizing his charm and man qualities, he lays down a fake role that ultimately dupes even Sukku. At the end of it all, he is able to save Tamanna, cleverly outwitting the opposition, as he delivers a long-awaited message to them through his triumph. Pushpa emerges victorious with Tamanna, having delivered their message.