Sardaar Gabbar Singh is one of the most highly-anticipated Telugu films of 2016. Power Star Pawan Kalyan is set to see his film, made on a budget of Rs 70 crore, release in 42 countries. The actor keeps everyone guessing as to what he will do next, and anything he does or says makes headlines. There is also talk of him turning into a full-time politician, but his fans don't want him to disappear from the silver screen. So what makes him different from other south stars? Why is he the true Power Star?
The cult following
Many people compare Pawan Kalyan’s popularity to that of late NT Rama Rao and feel he could follow in his footsteps. But unlike the great NTR, he hasn’t done too many films. In fact, in his 20-year career he has acted in just 23 films. Nevertheless, the audience looks forward to every film of his. This Tollywood star has a cult following, especially among the youth. So much so, his dialogues and ideology are termed ‘Pawanisms’. The actor is also seen as someone who connects with the ordinary man and this is evident from the support he has for his Jana Sena Party.
Unlike other south stars who also have fans, Pawan Kalyan’s fans calls themselves his ‘devotees’. For them, he is God and they watch every film of his at least ten times. There are also three important occasions in his life that fans celebrate without fail each year – his birthday, the day he made his debut and of course, during his movie release. In fact, the day he made his film debut has been christened as 'World Pawanism Day' by fans!
From star to common man
Pawan Kalyan is not media-shy, but he just doesn’t prefer talking to the media. Unlike other stars, he rarely gives interviews and this reticence possibly makes him more attractive to the public. They see him as someone who is not publicity-hungry and a celebrity who really wants to do good for the people. In 2015, he campaigned for farmers’ rights and against the land-pooling system of the Andhra Pradesh government. He sat with the farmers asking about their problems and even ate with them. He prefers to be seen as one among the common man rather than as a privileged star of society.
There is talk that Pawan Kalyan is looking to play a bigger role in politics soon. In fact, his elder brother actor-politician Chiranjeevi had stated in 2014, when Pawan Kalyan launched his party, that he was the right person to enter politics. And it is said that it will be with the BJP.
The actor supported the BJP-TDP alliance in 2014 and has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on numerous occasions. In Andhra Pradesh, the BJP has no star power and he is seen as an ideal candidate to fill this slot. Though he started the Jana Sena, he has not really gone about building the organisation. There is speculation that he will quit films for politics in 2018. But Chiranjeevi had advised him against such a move earlier.
With Sardaar Gabbar Singh also releasing in Hindi (dubbed), there is talk that this could be Power Star’s way of getting a national face for his entry into politics (and the BJP) would be easier. However, he has justified the Hindi release saying that the theme of the film will connect with the Hindi belt sensibilities.
His personality
At the core of everything, lies Pawan Kalyan’s personality. People who have met him rave about his humility, sensitive nature, lack of arrogance and simplicity. He has always spoken about his philosophy of life openly. He tweets about everything from how to live life to development in the country. And unlike many others, he practices what he preaches. When asked whether he is an actor, a farmer or a politician, Pawan Kalyan candidly replies that everyone has different facets and these are some of his. But the truth is that above all this, he is a simple human being wanting to do good for the people of his state. And that perhaps is what makes him who he is ultimately – a true Power Star.
Pawan Kalyan speaking at Penumaka, AP:
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