Pawan Kalyan

Pawan Kalyan
Kalyan in 2024
10th Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
Incumbent
Assumed office
12 June 2024
GovernorS. Abdul Nazeer
Chief MinisterN. Chandrababu Naidu
Preceded by
List
Additional ministries[1]
Incumbent
Assumed office
12 June 2024
Ministry and Departments
  • Panchayat Raj
  • Rural Development and Rural Water Supply
  • Environment
  • Forests
  • Science and technology
Preceded by
Member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office
4 June 2024
Preceded byPendem Dorababu
ConstituencyPithapuram
President of the Janasena Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
14 September 2014
Preceded byPosition established
Personal details
Born
Konidala Kalyan Kumar

(1971-09-02) 2 September 1971 (age 53)[2]
Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, India
Political partyJanasena Party (since 2014)
Other political
affiliations		Praja Rajyam Party (2008–2011)
Spouses
  • Nandini
    (m.1997; sep.1999; div. 2007)
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 2009; div. 2012)​
  • Anna Lezhneva
    ​
    (m. 2013)​
Children4
RelativesSee Konidela–Allu family
Occupation
  • Actor
  • Politician
  • Philanthropist

Konidala Pawan Kalyan[5] (born Konidala Kalyan Kumar;[8] 2 September 1971)[2] is an Indian politician, actor and philanthropist serving as the 10th Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh since June 2024. He is also the Minister of Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Water Supply; Environment, Forests, Science and Technology in the Government of Andhra Pradesh and an MLA representing the Pitapuram constituency.[3] He is the founder and president of the Janasena Party.

As an actor, Kalyan is known for his distinctive style and mannerisms in Telugu cinema. He enjoys a huge fanbase across the Telugu states, often described as "unfathomable," "fiercely loyal," and akin to a "cult following."[12] He is among the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema and has been featured in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list multiple times since 2012.[13][18] He is the recipient of a Filmfare Award and a SIIMA Award among other accolades.

Kalyan made his acting debut in the 1996 film Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi. Then, he had a streak of six consecutive hits, among which Tholi Prema (1998), Thammudu (1999), Badri (2000), and Kushi (2001) became back-to-back blockbusters. These films established Kalyan as a youth icon with a massive following distinct from his elder brother Chiranjeevi's fanbase.[9][11] In 2001, he became the first ever South Indian brand ambassador for Pepsi.[22] Kalyan later faced a slump, yet his popularity kept soaring despite the flops.[24] He made a comeback with Jalsa (2008), the highest-grossing Telugu film of that year, and continued with hits like Gabbar Singh (2012), Attarintiki Daredi (2013), Gopala Gopala (2015), and Bheemla Nayak (2022). He received the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Gabbar Singh. Both Kushi and Attarintiki Daredi held the record for the highest-grossing Telugu film of its era.[25]

Kalyan holds a black belt in Karate.[26] In 1997, he was awarded the title "Pawan" by the Isshin-ryū Karate Association after a public martial arts demonstration.[27] He practices various martial arts, which he regularly showcases in his films both as a performer and an action choreographer. He is known as "Power Star" among his fans and the media.[28] Kalyan is also recognized for his extensive philanthropic work, supporting various social causes.[29] He has offered financial assistance to both individuals and organizations in need. In 2007, he established the charity Common Man Protection Force.[32]

In March 2014, Pawan Kalyan founded the Janasena Party (JSP). Although he chose not to contest the 2014 elections, his support and campaigns were pivotal in securing victory for the TDP-BJP alliance in Andhra Pradesh.[33] He later brought national attention to the chronic kidney disease crisis in Uddanam,[34] and led protests against forced land acquisition,[31] and illegal mining in reserved forests.[35] In 2019, JSP contested its first elections, winning one MLA seat with around 6% of the vote. Following this, Kalyan and JSP focused on issues like farmer welfare, illegal sand mining, women's safety, and land encroachment. In 2023, he launched a state-wide tour in his customized vehicle 'Varahi' to connect with voters. In the 2024 elections, Kalyan played a key role in forming an alliance between JSP, TDP, and BJP, which led to a landslide victory.[36] Janasena won each of the 21 MLA seats and 2 MP seats it contested. Kalyan was elected from the Pitapuram constituency by a margin of over 70,000 votes, subsequently becoming the deputy chief minister.[37]

  1. ^ "Andhra Pradesh Council of Ministers: Full list". The Hindu. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference born was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b "Council of Ministers". Government of Andhra Pradesh.
  4. ^ "డిప్యూటీ సీఎం పవన్ కల్యాణ్.. నేమ్ బోర్డు వైరల్." News18 (in Telugu). 19 June 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  5. ^ [3][4]
  6. ^ Pawan Kalyan Mother Konidela Anjana Devi Interview. TV5 News. 2 October 2024. Event occurs at 8:48 to 9:06 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "Pawan Kalyan's Mother Anjana Devi Reveals His 'Original' Name". News18. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  8. ^ [6][7]
  9. ^ a b c Vyas (2 September 2019). "A star with unfathomable craze - Pawan Kalyan". The Hans India. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  10. ^ Latha Srinivasan (7 April 2016). "Here's what makes Pawan Kalyan the real Power Star!". DNA India. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Hemanth Kumar C. R. (23 March 2017). "Powerstar Pawan Kalyan: From films to politics, what explains his hold over fans?". The News Minute. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  12. ^ [9][10][11]
  13. ^ "Is Pawan Kalyan joining the league of top Indian actors with his massive remuneration for Sujeeth's 'OG'?". The Times of India. 1 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 July 2024. In an unprecedented move, Pawan Kalyan is set to receive a staggering Rs.100 crores for his role in 'OG'. This achievement catapults him into the elite league of Indian actors earning remunerations exceeding Rs. 100 crores.
  14. ^ "2012 Celebrity 100 - Forbes India Magazine". Forbes India. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Pawan Kalyan – 2013 Celebrity 100". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014.
  16. ^ "2017 Celebrity 100 – Forbes India Magazine". Archived from the original on 11 July 2018.
  17. ^ "2018 Celebrity 100". Forbes India. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  18. ^ [14][15][16][17]
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference cola wars was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ "Pawan Kalyan turns 49: From a martial artist to an ardent admirer of Che Guevara, riveting facts of Power Star". The Times of India. 2 September 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 July 2024. Following his hat-trick blockbusters 'Thammudu', 'Badri' and 'Kushi', several multinational companies queued before Pawan to get their products promoted. In the process, the 'Vakeel Saab' actor became one among first South Indian actors to endorse a popular cola brand.
  21. ^ "Did Pawan Kalyan Charge Over Rs 1 Crore In 2001 For Pepsi Ad?". News18. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  22. ^ [19][20][21]
  23. ^ Adivi, Sashidhar (12 June 2024). "Power Star Pawan Kalyan's Inspiring Journey From Movies to Janasena Leader and AP Deputy CM". Times Now. Retrieved 31 July 2024. What's interesting to see is that Pawan's stardom kept growing with each film irrespective of the result. The actor also indulged in several social and philanthropic activities that brought him closer to his fans.
  24. ^ [9][11][23]
  25. ^ S. Hari Prasad (18 April 2024). "Most Industry hits telugu hero: కెరీర్లో ఎక్కువ ఇండస్ట్రీ హిట్స్ అందుకున్న తెలుగు హీరోలు వీళ్లే.. టాప్‌లో మెగాస్టార్". Hindustan Times (in Telugu). Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  26. ^ Cite error: The named reference forbes profile was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. ^ "When Kalyan Turned Pawan Kalyan". M9 News. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  28. ^ "How Pawan Kalyan backed the winning horse in Andhra". The Indian Express. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Pawan to be awarded for his philanthropic work". The Hans India. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  30. ^ R G Vijayasarathy (2 November 2007). "Chiru's brother lends a hand to common man". Rediff.com. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Pawan moots JAC of displaced farmers". The Hindu. 7 July 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  32. ^ [30][31]
  33. ^ "Pawan Kalyan's Janasena gets Election Commission's approval". The Hindu. 11 December 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 August 2024. The 43-year-old star had campaigned extensively in support of the TDP-BJP combine in undivided Andhra Pradesh for the general elections earlier this year. His campaign is believed to be one of the key factors in the success of the TDP-BJP combine in the elections.
  34. ^ "Uddanam kidney disease remains medical enigma despite research". The Times of India. 16 December 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 1 August 2024. Though people in Uddanam have been suffering from kidney diseases of unknown cause (etiology) for decades, the village shot into prominence in January this year when Jana Sena leader and actor Pawan Kalyan took up the cause. His diatribe against the authorities forced the state government to seek the help of international health and medical experts.
  35. ^ "Pawan Kalyan: The star who struggled and turned into a storm". The Economic Times. 12 June 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  36. ^ "Pawan Kalyan: The Unrivaled Visionary Who Revolutionized Indian Political Strategy And Achieved Historic Triumph". Outlook. 8 June 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  37. ^ Srikanth, S. Guru (5 June 2024). "Pawan Kalyan scripts political blockbuster". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 August 2024.