Some of his most notable works as a lead actor include Bheemla Nayak (2022), Vakeel Saab (2021), Attarintiki Daredi (2013), Gabbar Singh (2012), Jalsa (2008), Kushi (2001), Badri (2000), Thammudu (1999), and Tholi Prema (1998). In addition to acting, Kalyan is also a stunt coordinator, choreographer, and singer.Pawan Kalyan
Early Life
Kalyan was born on September 2, 1971 (making him 52 years old, as of 2023), to Konidela Venkata Rao and Anjana Devi in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh. He is the younger brother of Chiranjeevi, a legendary actor and Nagendra Babu, a notable actor-producer; he has a younger sister, Vijaya Durga.
He is a paternal uncle to Ram Charan and Varun Tej and a father-in-law to Allu Arjun, Sai Dharam Tej, and Vaishnav Tej. Kalyan holds a Black belt in Karate; he is an avid reader.
Career
Kalyan made his acting debut with Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi (1996), a romantic drama film directed by ace director E. V. V. Satyanarayana. An official remake of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1998), the film was a profitable venture. His went on to star in Gokulamlo Seetha (1997), a remake of Gokulathil Seethai (1996), and Suswagatham (1998), which is based on Vijay-starrer Love Today (1997); both the films were well-received and established Kalyan as a promising young actor.
His next venture, Toli Prema (1998), a romantic comedy directed by A. Karunakaran, opened to positive reviews and was declared ‘a super hit’ at the box office. He was featured in Thammudu (1999), a film loosely inspired by the American film Breaking Away (1979). The film was successful at the box office and was remade in Tamil, Kannada, and Bengali. The film is noted for its soundtrack, composed by Ramana Gogula, which was a trendsetter at that time. He then starred in the romantic action film Badri (2000), which marks the directorial debut of Puri Jagannath, a prolific director today. The film was acclaimed for its performances, action, and music.
Kalyan’s biggest breakthrough was Kushi (2001), a romantic comedy film directed by S. J. Suryah. An official remake of the director’s own Tamil film of the same name. Releasing on April 27, 2001, the film received rave reviews with praise for its story, performances, and music and went on to become a huge commercial success, encapsulating Kalyan to massive superstardom and fan following among youth.
In 2003, he wrote, directed, and starred in Johnny (2003), a martial-arts film based on O. Henry’s “Last Leaf’. The film received negative reviews and was a major flop at the box office. His next ventures, Gudumba Shankar (2004), an action comedy, and Balu (2005), a gangster drama, were average grossers but are noted for Mani Sharma’s songs. He collaborated with Tamil director Dharani on an action drama, Bangaram (2006). His next was Annavaram (2006), an official remake of the Tamil film Thirupaacchi (2005).
After facing a string of failures, Kalyan got a revival with Jalsa (2016), an action comedy by ace director Trivikram Srinivas. The film’s soundtrack, composed by Devi Sri Prasad, was a sensation upon release and hyped up the film before release. In 2010, he collaborated with S. J. Suryah, after Kushi (2001), for an action thriller, Puli (2010). Despite A. R. Rahman’s chartbuster album, the film bombed at the box office. His next ventures, Teen Maar (2011), a remake of Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal (2009), and Panjaa (2011), a gangster drama, were average grossers.
In 2012, he starred in Gabbar Singh (2012), a remake of Dabangg (2010), which was a blockbuster and provided a much-needed break for Kalyan, who hasn’t tasted proper success in the last decade. The film is noted for its soundtrack and Kalyan’s unique mannerisms and style. In the same year, he was featured in Puri Jagannath’s political actioner, Cameraman Gangatha Rambabu (2012). The film was average grosser. He enjoyed peak success with Attarintiki Daredi (2013), a comedy drama directed by Trivikram Srinivas. Releasing on September 27, 2013, it was the highest grossing Telugu film at the time, surpassing Magadheera (2009), and encapsulated Kalyan, Trivikram, and Samantha to superstardom. The film is noted for its highly successful music album, composed by Devi Sri Prasad.
In 2015, he was featured alongside Venkatesh in Gopala Gopala (2015), an official remake of Oh My God! (2012). In 2016, he wrote, produced, and starred in Sardar Gabbar Singh (2016), a sequel to Gabbar Singh (2012). The film failed to replicate the success of its predecessor. His next venture, Kaatamarayudu (2017), a remake of Siva’s Veeram (2014), tanked at the box office. He collaborated with Trivikram for the third time on the action drama Agnathavasi (2018). Marketed as PSPK25, the film generated unparalled hype before release. However, owing to poor reception, it ended up being the biggest disaster in Tollywood. As speculated before, Kalyan entered politics and was on a three-year hiatus from films.
In 2021, he made a comeback to cinema with Vakeel Saab (2021), an official remake of Pink (2016). The film received positive reviews from critics who praised the performances, direction, dialogues, and music and ended up being Kalyan’s highest-grossing film ever. His next venture, Bheemla Nayak (2022), a remake of Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2022), was a profitable venture. The film’s dialogue and screenplay were handled by ace director and Kalyan’s longtime companion, Trivikram. His last appearance in films was in Bro (2023), a film based on Samuthikirani’s Vinodhaya Sitham (2021); the film was an average grosser.
Kalyan will be next seen in Sujeeth Reddy’s gangster drama, They Call Him OG; Krish Jagalrlamudi’s period drama, Hari Hara Veera Mallu; and Harish Shankar’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh.
Film Production
In 2016, Kalyan established the production house, ‘Pawan Kalyan Creative Works’. He co-produced the films Sardaar Gabbar Singh (2016) and the Nithin-starrer Chal Mohan Ranga (2018). Both the films were commercial failures.
Politics
Kalyan’s political career started in 2008 as the president of Yuvarajyam, the youth wing of the Praja Rajyam Party, founded by his brother Chiranjeevi. Following the party’s merger into Congress, he distanced himself from politics.
On March 14, 2014, he founded the Jana Sena Party (JSP). In the 2019 Andhra Pradesh general elections, he contested in two constituencies, Gajuwaka and Bhimavaram, and lost both of them to the YSRCP. Making an alliance with Telugu Desam Party (TDP), he made a roaring comeback in the 2024 general elections. Kalyan is now the Deputy Cheif Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Media Image
Kalyan is the first South Indian actor to become a brand ambassador for soft drink giant Pepsi, and to date, this is his only official endorsement. Despite his strong influence on youth, he had been unwilling to take up private endorsements.
In January 2017, he worked as the brand ambassador for handloom weavers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. In August, the government of Andhra Pradesh asked him to be the brand ambassador of Jeevaan Daan, an initiative for organ donation. He, along with R. Madhavan, were invited to Harward University to deliver a speech at the 14th edition of the India Conference in 2017.
Personal Life
One year after his film debut, Kalyan married Nandini. Following a series of dramatic events, he divorced her in July 2007. After eight years of live-in companionship, Kalyan married Renu Desai, his costar in Badri (2000) and Johnny (2003). The couple were blessed with a boy, Akira Nandan, and a girl, Aadhya. In 2012, the couple parted ways with a formal divorce.
In 2013, Kalyan married Anna Lezhneva, a Russian woman whom he had met during the shoot of Teen Maar (2011). The couple have a daughter, Polena Anjana Pawanova, and a son, Mark Shankar Pawanowich. He named them after his mother (Konidela Anjana Devi) and brother (Chiranjeevi, aka Konidela Shiva Shankara Vara Prasad), respectively. Kalyan’s marital life has always been a subject of mockery in politics.
Note: This section is heavily inspired from Wikipedia.
