Is There An Uncanny Similarity Between Pushpa And Veerappan?

The celebration for Pushpa 2: The Rule is going in full swing as the film is poised for its release after the gritty waiting. Fans are eagerly waiting to be thrust back in to Pushpa’s world. The anticipation on how Pushpa is going to rule his red sandalwood world and beyond is on high notch, and the yearning to behold their favourite hero going “international” is sky high.

As Pushpa has taken up everyone’s mind a little too seriously, some wondered if they had heard this story before. Pushpa’s rise, and his rule struck uncanny similarities. It sounds oddly familiar to a figure people are well aware of, especially the south.

Yup! Its the one and only Veerappan, the infamous bandit who ruled the Tamil Nadu, Karnataka forest for nearly 40 years.

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Theories circulate that Pushpa’s story was inspired from Veerappan’s. The rise of a fearless and ambitious Pushpa Raj echoes that of Veerappan.

Veerappan was a dacoit who gifted sleepless nights to the police officers, governments of south Indian states, and even for National government. He was painted as a terrifying and ruthless man who rules the forests. It was said that none entered or exited the Tamil Nadu – Karnataka forest without his knowledge. The man was wanted for killing nearly 184 people, mostly police officers and forest officials. Reportedly, the battle to capture Veerappan costed the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over Rs 100 crore.

Speaking of the similarities in the stories of Pushpa and Veerappan, their journey spoke same language. Both started with minor thefts – comparing to the level they rose later in life – and rose to invincible figures.

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Veerappan came from a poor family, and started working with his uncle Saalvai Gounder, a notorious sandalwood smuggler, and poacher, at the age of 10. After breaking away from his uncle, he started his own gang, and started to climb up in fame. After committing his his first murder, at the age of 17, he began killing those who resisted his illegal activities. His victims tended to be police officers, forest officials, and informants.

Pushpa too had a humble start. He started off as a coolie. Humiliation, and his determination to provide for his family prompted him to take his moves in directions that took him higher in ranks in the syndicate that smuggled the valuable wood.

Veerappan was killed by Tamil Nadu Special Task Force. He was lured into an ambulance by an undercover policeman under the pretext of taking them to Dharmapuri for medical treatment. The Tamil Nadu Special Task Force, which had been observing his movements for several months, surrounded the ambulance, and the gangsters were killed in the ensuing gunfight. He was killed in the operation known as Operation Cocoon.

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The anticipation for Pushpa 2: The Rule is humongous.  The highly anticipated film has already witnessed a staggering number of advance bookings of over Rs 100 crore, breaking its previous records. Helmed by Sukumar, the film is posed to hit more than 12,000 screens in multiple formats tomorrow.