Meet new Andhra minister Pawan Kalyan: The power star who brought 'aandhi' in politics

NEW DELHI: A few days ago Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced actor-politician Pawan Kalyan in a meeting of NDA MPs: "Yeh Pawan nahi hai, aandhi hai (He is not a breeze, but a storm)." Amid thunderous applause, this remark came as Kalyan's Jana Sena Party took the political arena by storm with a historic victory in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections 2024 and Andhra Pradesh assembly elections by winning all the seats it contested.
And now the 'aandhi', Kalyan, has taken a new role on Wednesday as he took charge as minister of Andhra Pradesh in N Chandrababu Naidu cabinet.
The power star Pawan Kalyan
Pawan Kalyan, a prominent figure in the Telugu film industry, has left an indelible mark on Tollywood through his remarkable acting career and influential persona. Born on September 2, 1971, in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan embarked on his journey in the entertainment world with his debut film "Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi" in 1996. Since then, he has captivated audiences with his charismatic screen presence and versatile performances.
Pawan Kalyan's rise to stardom can be attributed to his ability to connect with the masses through his films. He has portrayed a wide range of characters, from the rebellious youth in "Thammudu" to the vigilante in "Gabbar Singh." His films often tackle social issues and showcase his strong convictions, earning him a loyal fan base that extends beyond the boundaries of the film industry.
Beyond his acting prowess, Pawan Kalyan is also known for his philanthropic endeavors and political activism.
The political journey
The actor, who has earned the moniker 'Power Star' due to his dynamic performances in action movies, made his foray into the political arena in 2008. He joined forces with his brother Chiranjeevi's political party, Praja Rajyam Party (PRP).
Despite the initial enthusiasm and support, the PRP failed to make a significant impact on the political landscape. The party's journey was short-lived, and it ultimately merged with the Congress party. This move marked the end of Pawan Kalyan's first political venture.
In 2014, Kalyan established his own political party, JSP, but the party did not participate in the elections that year. Instead, he supported the TDP-BJP alliance, which came to power.
The JSP contested its first assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh in 2019 independently. The party suffered a humiliating defeat, with Kalyan himself losing in both Assembly constituencies he contested – Gajuwaka of Visakhapatnam and Bhimavaram of West Godavari. The party managed to win only one seat, Razole assembly constituency (SC-reserved), but the MLA later defected to the YSR Congress party.
Despite the electoral setback, Kalyan remained determined. He raised his voice against the ruling YSRCP and chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on various issues.
In the latter half of 2022, Kalyan initiated 'Jana Vani', a series of small public meetings to listen to people's grievances. "He was the only politician who worked to fight for public issues" despite losing the 2019 elections, as noted by Businessline.
When the YSRCP government cracked down on one such meeting in Visakhapatnam and arrested JSP cadres, it helped bring TDP chief Naidu and Pawan Kalyan back together.
Kalyan also persistently reached out to BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and JP Nadda, even when he did not receive a warm response.
Finally, Kalyan succeeded in forming an alliance among TDP, JSP, and BJP, which announced a pre-poll alliance in March.
(With agency inputs)