Latest news with #Kalyan
India Today
3 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Exclusive: Pawan Kalyan says neither ‘Hindutva hero' nor ‘power star' defines him
Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan said that he is equally at ease both in his political role and as an actor, and that neither persona — be it the 'Hindutva hero' nor 'power star' — fully defines him. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Kalyan spoke about his upcoming film 'Harihara Veera Mallu', his political ideology, his cultural roots, and the way he sees his identity reflected in both cinema and don't consider myself either as a Hindutva hero or as a power star,' he said. 'Whatever comes my way, I try to give my best. I'm comfortable as a leader, I'm comfortable as a Deputy Chief Minister... Whatever the situation demands out of me, I give my 100%.'Kalyan's latest Telugu film 'Harihara Veera Mallu' features him as a warrior tasked with retrieving the Kohinoor diamond from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. While Aurangzeb is the antagonist, Kalyan maintains that the film is a work of fiction inspired by historical elements. 'It is a fictitious story... about a character called Harihara Veeramallu, who goes all the way to Delhi to bring back Kohinoor. It is a rivalry between Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah and Aurangzeb,' he explained. When asked if his portrayal of Mughal rulers as villains aligned with a political narrative or popular box office formula, Kalyan said any resemblance was coincidental. 'This plot was conceived by the scriptwriter-director Krish Jagarlamudi around 2018. We didn't even have a BJP alliance then,' he said. He added that it was not about recent developments or ideology, but a story that had been in the works for years, centred on the historical Kohinoor diamond which was found in Kollur Mine in the Golconda region, which is now in Andhra Pradesh. Still, Kalyan asserted the need for a more balanced view of history. 'Definitely we should look at the Mughals more objectively,' he said, recalling how school textbooks focused heavily on the 'pious' side of Aurangzeb but omitted his repressive policies, including the jizya tax imposed on non-Muslims. 'They could have presented both good and bad... not just one side.'Asked about his Janasena Party's future in Tamil Nadu, where he has made several recent visits, Kalyan said he is not in a hurry to expand for political gain. 'To develop a party takes a long time and deep commitment,' he said. 'For me, my party should advance interests for cultural and national integration, not just to grab power.'Kalyan also reflected on his ideological journey — from admiring leftist figures like Che Guevara and Fidel Castro to supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said he was shaped by a socialist family background where devotion and social justice coexisted. 'My father was a member of the Communist Party, but he was also a devotee of Lord Rama,' he said. 'Social justice and devotion go hand in hand.'When asked who his real hero was — Narendra Modi or Che Guevara — Kalyan responded: 'I like both. I respect them.' He added, 'This country needs a very strong leader that quality I found in Narendra Modi.'advertisementFinally, reflecting on the challenge of juggling cinema and public service, Kalyan admitted it is difficult. 'I struggle to shift from political seriousness to acting. I often ask myself whether I should continue acting,' he said, adding that financial considerations drive his decision to keep making films. 'If I had enough income, I wouldn't do films. Politics is my real passion and national service.'For Kalyan, the boundaries between actor and leader blur not out of design, but from his effort to remain authentic. Whether as a fighter on-screen or a policymaker off-screen, he says he simply does what he feels 'needs to be done'.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh
India Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Pawan Kalyan backs Hindi as necessity, says no language should be imposed
Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan has said that no language should be imposed on anyone, while asserting that he stands firmly for national integrity. Speaking exclusively to India Today, Kalyan addressed the language debate and clarified his own position on Hindi, amid ongoing discussions around linguistic identity and federal unity.'No language should be imposed on anybody. I stand for national integrity,' he said during the interview. Explaining his own need to learn and use Hindi, he added, 'We are surrounded by Hindi-speaking states. Hindi is a necessity for me.'advertisementKalyan also pointed out that political parties and individuals sometimes spark negativity around the issue for their own motives. 'Sometimes parties or people spark negativity,' he remarked, suggesting that the language question is often weaponised for political gain rather than genuine cultural concerns.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh
News18
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Pawan Kalyan Breaks Silence On Quitting Films For Politics: ‘Won't Act But…'
Pawan Kalyan, Deputy CM of Andhra Pradesh, prioritises administration over acting. He plans to finish pending films and focus on producing. Actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan has clarified his future in cinema following his appointment as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in June 2024. Amid ongoing criticism over juggling his administrative responsibilities with film commitments, the Jana Sena Party chief has now addressed concerns and revealed where his priorities lie. In an interview with ABN, Kalyan said that although he attempted to complete his pending films before the elections, unforeseen political developments delayed the process. 'When I signed these three films, I had planned to complete them before the elections. However, I lost crucial time before the elections due to some political incidents," he explained. 'I asked the producers of all three films to forgive me because I needed a few more days to complete the films. Even after I came into power, I took time to shoot for films and only did it for two hours a day." Kalyan is currently wrapping up work on three major films: Hari Hara Veera Mallu, They Call Him OG, and Ustaad Bhagat Singh. He confirmed that he has not taken on any new acting projects. 'I have completed shooting for OG and have around five days left to complete Ustaad Bhagat Singh. I will definitely not act anymore if I have political clashes because my priority is the administration and the Janasena Party," he stated. While distancing himself from acting, Kalyan hinted at continuing in the film industry in a different role. 'I need cinema for my financial sustenance. So, I will look to producing films in the future. Even if I do act, it will only be for two hours per day. But right now, I haven't signed any more films." Among his upcoming releases, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, in production for over five years, will hit theatres on July 24, with paid premieres on July 23. Directed by Krish and Jyothi Krisna, the historical action drama stars Bobby Deol and Nidhhi Agerwal alongside Kalyan. Meanwhile, OG is helmed by Sujeeth, and Ustaad Bhagat Singh is directed by Harish Shankar. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Pawan Kalyan says Trivikram Srinivas helped him get back on his feet after a career flop: 'I call him a godsend'
Actor Pawan Kalyan recently opened up about his friendship with director Trivikram Srinivas and his appreciation for remakes. Speaking at the 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu Part-1' pre-release event in Hyderabad, Kalyan discussed his cinematic vision, artistic compromises, and a long-standing bond. Pawan Kalyan shares how Trivikram Srinivas helped him to make a comeback Kalyan recalled a challenging period in his career when he had suffered a major failure and felt adrift in the industry. He said that during that time, Trivikram Srinivas stepped in to support him—even though they barely knew each other. Trivikram offered friendship and collaboration during failure, which led to the making of their film Jalsa. "After one flop, I lost my footing in cinema. That's when director Trivikram Srinivas came and stood by me. I didn't even know who he was at the time. People usually come to you when you taste success, but he came to me during failure. My friend stood by me and made 'Jalsa'. They say adversity reveals true character. That's why I call Trivikram godsend, " he said. Why Remakes Became a Necessity In response to criticism regarding the high number of remakes in his filmography, Kalyan clarified that remakes were always a practical solution rather than his first choice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo He explained that original scripts require time and creative bandwidth, which he could not afford while balancing political duties and family life. He added that many producers believed they could generate quick profits by casting him in remakes, and that he often lacked support from top-tier directors for original content. AM Rathnam Backed an Original, Rooted Story Kalyan praised producer AM Rathnam for choosing to invest in 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu', a period action drama with an original and culturally rooted narrative. He said Rathnam's decision to support a non-remake project reflected courage and conviction, especially in an industry often driven by commercial shortcuts. About the Film Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu Part-1' stars Pawan Kalyan, Nidhhi Agerwal, Bobby Deol, Sathyaraj, and Nargis Fakhri. Produced by A. Dayakar Rao under Mega Surya Production and presented by AM Rathnam, the film is slated for release on July 24, 2025.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Hari Hara Veera Mallu' not a politically-motivated film, says Pawan Kalyan
'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' set in a historical context is not a politically-motivated film, but an action thriller and a wholesome family entertainer, said Deputy Chief Minister and actor K. Pawan Kalyan. Talking to media persons at the Jana Sena Party (JSP) office in Mangalagiri on Tuesday (July 22), Mr. Pawan Kalyan expressed happiness at the release of the movie, which saw many delays. Two natural disasters (pandemic) and one man-made disaster (a jibe at the previous administration's alleged misrule) delayed the movie, the Deputy Chief Minister said. Giving details about the movie, Mr. Kalyan said that it is about attempts to retrieve the Kohinoor diamond that was taken away from the Guntur region and landed with Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Talking about the Mughal Emperor, Mr. Kalyan said that the anger that remained against Jizyah Tax, levied by Aurangzeb on Hindus, perhaps found a vent through the movie. The characters, however, are fictional, he said, adding that while the film does not have any political overtones, it may acquire them later on.
