Businessman
Just as the cops have declared the end of Mafia in Mumbai, a man named Surya arrives in the city with the intentions of conquering it.
The film earned $10.8M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Businessman (2012) exhibits carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Puri Jagannadh's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Surya
Chitra
ACP Raghavendra Rajput
Surya's Father
Minister Jaidev
Main Cast & Characters
Surya
Played by Mahesh Babu
A ruthless and strategic businessman who uses manipulation and violence to build his criminal empire in Mumbai.
Chitra
Played by Kajal Aggarwal
A strong-willed woman who becomes Surya's love interest and moral compass.
ACP Raghavendra Rajput
Played by Prakash Raj
A determined police officer committed to bringing down Surya's criminal organization.
Surya's Father
Played by Nassar
Surya's father whose principles and eventual fate shape Surya's worldview.
Minister Jaidev
Played by Sayaji Shinde
A corrupt politician who becomes both ally and adversary to Surya.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Surya arrives in Mumbai as an ambitious young man with cold, calculating demeanor, establishing his ruthless personality and desire for power.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Surya witnesses the brutal power of the Mumbai mafia firsthand and recognizes the opportunity to seize control through calculated violence and strategy.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Surya makes his first decisive move to take control, executing a bold plan that announces his presence as a new force in Mumbai's underworld., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Surya achieves dominance over Mumbai's underworld, appearing to have won everything he wanted - a false victory as new threats and consequences emerge., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 100 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Surya faces devastating losses - betrayal from within his organization and the possibility of losing Chitra, forcing him to confront the human cost of his ambition., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 106 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Surya synthesizes his strategic mind with a newfound purpose, deciding to use his power not just for dominance but to protect what truly matters., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Businessman's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Businessman against these established plot points, we can identify how Puri Jagannadh utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Businessman within the action genre.
Puri Jagannadh's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Puri Jagannadh films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Businessman represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Puri Jagannadh filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Puri Jagannadh analyses, see Temper.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Surya arrives in Mumbai as an ambitious young man with cold, calculating demeanor, establishing his ruthless personality and desire for power.
Theme
A character warns that "in this city, only the ruthless survive" - establishing the film's exploration of whether ends justify means in pursuit of power.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to Mumbai's underworld hierarchy, Surya's methodical approach to identifying power structures, and his strategic mind for exploiting weaknesses in the existing crime syndicate.
Disruption
Surya witnesses the brutal power of the Mumbai mafia firsthand and recognizes the opportunity to seize control through calculated violence and strategy.
Resistance
Surya strategically plans his takeover, gathering intelligence on rival gangs, identifying key players to eliminate or recruit, and preparing for his ascent to power.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Surya makes his first decisive move to take control, executing a bold plan that announces his presence as a new force in Mumbai's underworld.
Mirror World
Introduction of Chitra, the love interest who represents a softer world and questions Surya's ruthless methods, embodying the humanity he's sacrificing.
Premise
Surya consolidates power through strategic eliminations and alliances, building his empire while managing his dual life between the criminal world and his relationship with Chitra.
Midpoint
Surya achieves dominance over Mumbai's underworld, appearing to have won everything he wanted - a false victory as new threats and consequences emerge.
Opposition
Powerful enemies unite against Surya, his relationship with Chitra strains under the weight of his violent lifestyle, and the police intensify their pursuit.
Collapse
Surya faces devastating losses - betrayal from within his organization and the possibility of losing Chitra, forcing him to confront the human cost of his ambition.
Crisis
Surya wrestles with whether to continue his ruthless path or find redemption, reflecting on the isolation and emptiness that accompany his power.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Surya synthesizes his strategic mind with a newfound purpose, deciding to use his power not just for dominance but to protect what truly matters.
Synthesis
Surya executes his final plan, confronting his enemies while attempting to secure a future that balances his empire with the relationships he values.
Transformation
Surya stands transformed - still powerful but now tempered by understanding the true price of ruthless ambition, having evolved from pure calculation to strategic humanity.