Red Chandan, or red sandalwood, is more than just a commodity in Pushpa: The Rise—it is a symbol of the corrupt and cutthroat world that Pushpa Raj inhabits. The film revolves around the illegal smuggling of red sandalwood, a resource that is both valuable and scarce, making it the story's focal point. In this world, red sandalwood is not just a valuable asset, but a metaphor for the greed and desperation that fuel the characters' actions.

The decision to make red chandan central to the plot was deliberate. The illegal trade of red sandalwood, which is highly prized for its medicinal and aromatic properties, is a major source of income for the characters in the film. It also serves as a powerful symbol for the moral and ethical choices the characters must make. For Pushpa Raj, red sandalwood represents the opportunity to rise from poverty and make a name for himself in a dangerous and corrupt world.

The film uses red chandan to explore the theme of power—how people will go to great lengths to control resources that can give them influence and wealth. For Pushpa Raj, the pursuit of red sandalwood becomes synonymous with his ascent to power, but it also brings immense conflict. Red sandalwood is not just an object in the film; it represents the moral cost of success in a corrupt world.

Moreover, the film shows how the quest for red chandan leads to violence, betrayal, and destruction, emphasizing the destructive power of greed. The importance of red sandalwood in the movie goes beyond its physical properties—it acts as the driving force behind the characters' actions and decisions, shaping the story at every turn.

In this way, red sandalwood is not merely a plot device but an integral part of the film's message, underscoring the film's exploration of ambition, corruption, and the cost of success in an illegal world.