Pushpa Box Office Collection: Allu Arjun’s Film and Red Sandalwood Controversy
Telugu actor Allu Arjun’s highly anticipated film Pushpa 2 has been making headlines recently. The movie, which portrays Allu Arjun as a red sandalwood smuggler, faced controversy after a stampede occurred outside Sandhya Cinema in Hyderabad during its premiere. Together, both parts of the Pushpa franchise (Pushpa: The Rise and Pushpa: The Rule) have grossed an impressive ₹1,500 crore worldwide.
While the film continues to set new box office records, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Andhra Pradesh government in the red sandalwood trade.
Red Sandalwood: A Controversial Resource
Red sandalwood, primarily found in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, is an endangered species. Its illegal harvesting and trade have been a concern for decades. However, India has removed red sandalwood from its endangered species list, allowing its sale under government supervision within specified limits.
Despite these permissions, the Andhra Pradesh government has struggled to sell red sandalwood in international markets. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, no red sandalwood has been sold in global auctions. Sources reveal that demand has significantly declined, particularly in China, the primary buyer of this rare wood.
Auction Challenges and Declining Prices
The Andhra Pradesh government has conducted 24 international auctions since the 1990s, collecting ₹1,800-1,900 crore—only slightly more than the earnings of the Pushpa films. However, in the latest auction held in November-December 2023, the government failed to sell even a single tonne of the 905 tonnes of red sandalwood on offer.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has allowed the government to auction 11,000 tonnes of red sandalwood, of which approximately 4,000 tonnes remain unsold in Tirupati.
Prices have also seen a decline. Previously, red sandalwood was sold at ₹1 crore to ₹1.5 crore per tonne during the Telugu Desam Party’s tenure. Currently, A-grade red sandalwood is priced at ₹75 lakh per tonne. Despite reduced demand, the government has no plans to lower the price further.
The Bigger Picture
While Pushpa highlights the lucrative yet dangerous world of red sandalwood smuggling, the real-life trade paints a different picture, with declining international demand and auction failures. The Andhra Pradesh government continues to face challenges in managing this unique resource.
