Allu Arjun’s character Pushpa Raj is often noted for his resolute ‘thaggede le’ (I won’t back down) demeanour and his takeover of a red Sanders smuggling operation in Pushpa: The Rise (2021). However, at his core, Sukumar has crafted him as a deeply traumatized individual yearning for acceptance from his estranged family. The recent release of Pushpa 2: The Rule addresses several of his personal and professional challenges, culminating in a conclusion that paves the way for Pushpa 3: The Rampage. *Spoilers ahead*

Pushpa’s repaired relationship with family

In Pushpa: The Rise, it is revealed that Pushpa is the offspring of Molleti Venkata Ramana, born from an extramarital affair with Parvatamma. This lineage leads to his half-brother Mohan Raj (Ajay) disowning and ridiculing them at every turn. This familial rejection is a significant motivator for Pushpa’s ambition to amass wealth and earn respect, ensuring that his mother is never subjected to derision.

In Pushpa 2: The Rule, a reconciliation occurs when Mohan sets aside their differences after Pushpa rescues his niece Kaveri from criminals, even extending an invitation to a family wedding. Pushpa’s determination to locate his kidnapped niece brings the entire Chittoor region to a standstill, culminating in a confrontation with a newly introduced antagonist, Buggi Reddy (Tarak Ponnappa), who is the nephew of Minister Pratap Reddy (Jagapathi Babu).

Despite opposition from Chief Minister Siddappa Naidu (Rao Ramesh), his ally Keshava, and even Kaveri, Pushpa ultimately impales Buggi with a Trishul. This act earns him the respect of his brother, yet the conclusion of Pushpa 2: The Rule suggests that their relationship may have been irrevocably altered by a bomb explosion at the family wedding.

What happened to Srivalli and Bhanwar Singh Shekawat?

Additionally, it is revealed during the film’s climax that Pushpa’s wife, Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna), is expecting a child, which raises concerns for him regarding the inability to bestow a family name upon a son due to ongoing familial strife. In a separate narrative thread, police officer Bhanwar Singh Shekawat (Fahadh Faasil) faces humiliation at the hands of Pushpa during a smuggling operation. Just before it is revealed that Pushpa has outmanoeuvred him once more, Bhanwar

A pregnant Srivalli, along with Pushpa and his mother, attends a family wedding when a flower arrangement featuring a skull at its centre detonates. It remains uncertain whether Bhanwar is responsible or if a new antagonist is present, observing from the cliff where Pushpa previously embarrassed the police officer, as the wedding venue is engulfed in flames. A similar floral display is also delivered to Buggi’s funeral, although the explosion is not depicted there. Following the blast, the title card for Pushpa 3: The Rampage appears, suggesting that Pushpa may still be alive, despite the uncertain fate of his family.

Meanwhile, some fans on X (formerly Twitter) have unearthed the initial promotional video titled Where Pushpa?, which was released to announce Pushpa 2: The Rule. They speculate that the events depicted in this video may unfold in Pushpa 3: The Rampage. Additionally, there is a scene at the beginning of Pushpa 2: The Rule that could be interpreted as either a dream or events that will occur in the forthcoming instalment. Only time will reveal the truth.

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