Pushpa The Rise preview: All you need to know about Allu Arjun, Rashmika's rustic action entertainer

Pushpa The Rise, the first of the two-part action franchise Pushpa, that has been in the making for a year and a half now, has cleared all decks, gearing up for a grand release across the globe on December 17. The film, helmed by Sukumar, has an ensemble cast comprising Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Sunil, Anasuya, Rao Ramesh, Ajay Ghosh and Dhanunjaya in key roles. 

Produced by Y Ravi Shankar and Naveen Yerneni under Mythri Movie Makers in collaboration with Muttamsetty Media, the film has music by Devi Sri Prasad, cinematographed by Miroslaw Kuba Brozek and edited by Karthika Srinivas. Pushpa The Rise has been filmed in Telugu and dubbed later in four languages - Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada. 

The film is set amidst a backdrop of red sandalwood-smuggling mafia in the Chittoor region (Seshachalam forest) of Andhra Pradesh and has Allu Arjun, essaying the title role, Pushparaj, a lorry driver with a hunch. Srivalli, played by Rashmika Mandanna, is his love-interest. The story pits Pushpa, the leader of the red-sandalwood smuggler group against Mangalam Srinu, a ruthless village headman, the cops and the politicians. Anasuya Bharadwaj will slip into the skin of Dakshayini, an eccentric, power-hungry wife of Mangalam Srinu. 

Fahadh Faasil is all set to make his Telugu debut in the role of Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, a cop who tries to put a check to Pushpa's ascent in the region. Rao Ramesh will be seen as a corrupt MLA in the same. While Sunil will be the primary antagonist in Pushpa The Rise, Fahadh is expected to feature in a brief role, though the latter is set to have a meaty character in the second part, whose filming will commence shortly.

Why are audiences so curious about Pushpa The Rise?

It's coming right after Allu Arjun's career-best grosser Alaa Vaikunthapurramulo, a film that shattered box office records in Telugu cinema and created sensation with its stellar music album by S Thaman, earned popularity across many lanuages. The film, shot on a grand canvas, is the first pan-Indian release in the career of Allu Arjun and immense effort has gone into making it palatable for audiences in the entire country. 

Allu Arjun has revealed that his effort for Pushpa The Film is similar to working in four films. The film is the third collaboration between Sukumar and Allu Arjun after Arya and Arya 2 (which also had music by Devi Sri Prasad).

Who plays the villain in the film?

Though it's not the first time that Sunil is playing a villain in his career (his first as an antagonist was Colour Photo), it's nevertheless the actor's first mainstream film in the shoes of a baddie. The looks of Mangalam Srinu are a rage with audiences already and Sunil's strong screen presence is certain to add a new dimension to the creepy character. Fahadh Faasil's Telugu debut, his stunning characterisation, too have created enough curiosity.

What is special about the film's music score?

Composer Devi Sri Prasad's energetic sound track is one of the crucial reasons behind the hype that the film is enjoying prior to its release. Tracks like Daakko Daakko Meka, Srivalli, Eyy Bidda Idhi Naa Adda, Saami Saami and Oo Antava Oo Antava come with a great musical hook and offer an interesting mix of melody, mass appeal. Samantha, for the first time in her career, is set to appear in a special number as a seductress in Oo Antava Oo Antava.

When is Pushpa's second part expected to release?

Allu Arjun has revealed that any update about Pushpa's second part will only be announced after the reception for Pushpa The Rise. Going by the advance booking numbers, the film is set to open well in all languages and the announcement only seems like a formality.