Pushpa: The Rise was released on 17 December 2021 in Telugu along with dubbed versions in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada languages. The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics who praised the performances (particularly of Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil), action sequences, cinematography, direction, and songs but criticised the runtime and editingThe film is commercially successful, grossing ₹365 crore at the box office. The film emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film in 2021, and ranks among the highest-grossin Telugu films f all time.[11]
Plot
In the 1990s, Pushpa Raj is a coolie who works to smuggle red sandalwood, a rare wood that only grows in the Seshachalam Hills of the Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. When DSP Govindappa raids them in the forest, Pushpa hides and recovers the stock, thereby gaining the trust of his employer Konda Reddy. With the help of novel ideas to smuggle the red sandalwood, he quickly rises through the ranks and becomes Konda Reddy's partner. Mangalam Srinu, a cruel dealer who manages the red sandalwood syndicate entrusts Konda Reddy to keep 200 tons of his stock safe. As Konda's younger brother, Jolly Reddy is deemed incompetent, Pushpa is given the job. Govindappa attempts to raid them but Pushpa throws all the logs into the river, saving it from being seized. At a party, Pushpa overhears that Srinu is selling the wood at a much higher rate than what they're paid. He asks Konda to demand a fair share but backs down as going against Srinu seems risky.
Pushpa meets Srivalli and instantly falls in love for her. On their engagement day, his step-brother Mohan denies Pushpa's lineage because he was born out of wedlock while his mother is injured during the fight. This angers Pushpa, which motivates him to rise higher in life. The next day, he smuggles the wood to Chennai and meets Srinu from whom he demands ₹1 crore (US$242,000) per ton as their share. Srinu refuses and his men attack him but Pushpa overpowers them. He then goes to Chennai himself and cuts a deal to sell the wood at ₹1.5 crore ($363,000) per ton, which Konda and Pushpa agree to share equally. Jolly blackmails Srivalli to spend a night with him while holding her father captive. Enraged, Pushpa badly beats up Jolly, breaking his bones. Konda, finding out that Pushpa is responsible for his brother's condition, tries to kill him but Srinu's men attack them. Amid the confusion, Pushpa manages to counterattack them.
Konda is killed but Pushpa saves Konda's brother Jakka Reddy. Infuriated, he also captures Srinu's brother-in-law Mogileesu and kills him. MP Bhumireddy Siddappa Naidu arranges a truce between Pushpa and Srinu and appoints Pushpa to manage their syndicate. After six months, Pushpa becomes a big person. Due to Srinu's inability to avenge his brother-in-law, his wife Dakshayani slits his throat which injures him. While Pushpa is at his prime, Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, a ruthless police officer, takes charge as the district's SP. Pushpa offers him a bribe of ₹1 crore ($242,000). Shekhawat, however, intimidates and ridicules Pushpa for his lineage and not giving respect by addressing him as "Sir".