Pawan Kalyan is a Telugu film star and politician with one of the most passionate fan followings in Indian cinema. Known as ‘Power Star’, he delivered a string of youth blockbusters in the late 1990s and 2000s and later hits like Gabbar Singh and Attarintiki Daredi.
The younger brother of megastar Chiranjeevi, he founded the Jana Sena Party in 2014 and became Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in June 2024, while continuing to act in films such as They Call Him OG and Ustaad Bhagat Singh.
Pawan Kalyan Quick Facts
| Full Name | Konidela Kalyan Kumar |
| Popular Name | Power Star |
| Profession | Actor, Politician, Martial Artist |
| Date of Birth | 2 September 1971 |
| Age | 55 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Years Active | 1996–present |
| Debut | Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi (1996) |
| Breakthrough | Tholi Prema (1998) |
| Known For | Tholi Prema, Kushi, Jalsa, Gabbar Singh, Attarintiki Daredi, They Call Him OG |
| Parents | Konidela Venkata Rao, Anjana Devi |
| Siblings | Chiranjeevi, Nagendra Babu |
| Political Party | Jana Sena Party (founder) |
| Current Office | Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (since 2024) |
Pawan Kalyan Career in Numbers
Here is a quick look at Pawan Kalyan’s film and political career.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Films as Lead | 30+ |
| Film Career | 1996–present |
| Party Founded | Jana Sena, 14 March 2014 |
| Constituency | Pithapuram (won 2024) |
| Deputy CM Since | 14 June 2024 |
| Martial Arts | Black belt in karate |
Early Life and Family
Pawan Kalyan was born Konidela Kalyan Kumar on 2 September 1971 in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, to Konidela Venkata Rao and Anjana Devi. He is the youngest brother of Chiranjeevi and Nagendra Babu.
He studied in Nellore and Chennai and trained seriously in martial arts. He holds a black belt in karate, and the name ‘Pawan’ was given to him after a public martial arts demonstration.
Pawan Kalyan Career Journey
Debut and Youth Icon (1996–2001)
Pawan debuted in Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi (1996). Tholi Prema (1998), a love story, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu and made him a youth icon. Thammudu (1999), Badri (2000) and Kushi (2001) cemented his stardom, with Kushi becoming one of the biggest hits of its time.
Ups, Downs and Gabbar Singh (2002–2013)
After a string of uneven results in the 2000s, Jalsa (2008) brought him back to form. Gabbar Singh (2012), a remake of Dabangg, became a massive hit and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. Trivikram’s Attarintiki Daredi (2013) became the highest-grossing Telugu film at the time.
Films and Politics (2014–Present)
He launched the Jana Sena Party in 2014 while continuing with films such as Gopala Gopala, Vakeel Saab (2021), Bheemla Nayak (2022) and Bro (2023). In 2025 he released the period film Hari Hara Veera Mallu and the gangster drama They Call Him OG, followed by Ustaad Bhagat Singh on 19 March 2026.
Pawan Kalyan Movies: Complete Filmography
Below are the major films of Pawan Kalyan’s career.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi | Kalyan | Debut |
| 1997 | Gokulamlo Seetha | Kalyan | — |
| 1998 | Tholi Prema | Balu | National Film Award for Best Telugu Film |
| 1999 | Thammudu | Subhash | Kickboxing drama |
| 2000 | Badri | Badri | Directed by Puri Jagannadh |
| 2001 | Kushi | Siddhu | Industry hit |
| 2003 | Johnny | Johnny | Also directed |
| 2008 | Jalsa | Sanjay Sahu | Directed by Trivikram |
| 2012 | Gabbar Singh | Venkataratnam Naidu ‘Gabbar Singh’ | Filmfare Best Actor – Telugu |
| 2013 | Attarintiki Daredi | Gautham Nanda | Record-breaking hit |
| 2015 | Gopala Gopala | Lord Krishna | With Venkatesh |
| 2021 | Vakeel Saab | Satyadev | Remake of Pink |
| 2022 | Bheemla Nayak | Bheemla Nayak | With Rana Daggubati |
| 2023 | Bro | Time | With Sai Dharam Tej |
| 2025 | Hari Hara Veera Mallu | Veera Mallu | Period action drama |
| 2025 | They Call Him OG | Ojas Gambheera | Gangster drama |
| 2026 | Ustaad Bhagat Singh | Bhagat Singh | Released 19 March 2026 |
Political Career
Pawan Kalyan founded the Jana Sena Party on 14 March 2014. After a difficult 2019 election, the party allied with the TDP and BJP in 2024 and won all the seats it contested. He won from Pithapuram by a margin of over 70,000 votes.
He was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 14 June 2024 and handles portfolios including Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Environment and Forests.
Pawan Kalyan Awards and Achievements
| Year | Award | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu | Tholi Prema (lead actor) |
| 2012 | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu | For Gabbar Singh |
| 2012 | SIIMA Award for Best Actor | For Gabbar Singh |
| Since 2012 | Forbes India Celebrity 100 | Listed multiple times |
Pawan Kalyan Personal Life
Pawan Kalyan has married three times: to Nandini, to actress Renu Desai, with whom he has two children (Akira Nandan and Aadya), and in 2013 to Anna Lezhneva, with whom he has two more children.
He is known for his simple lifestyle, his interest in farming and reading, and for his close bond with his brothers Chiranjeevi and Nagendra Babu.
Pawan Kalyan Net Worth
Pawan Kalyan’s income comes mainly from acting fees and film profits. In recent years he has also put a large part of his earnings into political and social work.
Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹165 crore (based on declared assets).
Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, including entertainment industry reports and media estimates. These are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.
Lesser-Known Facts About Pawan Kalyan
- His birth name is Konidela Kalyan Kumar; ‘Pawan’ was a title given after a martial arts demonstration.
- He directed the film Johnny (2003) in which he also starred.
- He has choreographed stunt and fight sequences in some of his films.
- Tholi Prema won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.
- He won all the seats Jana Sena contested in the 2024 Andhra Pradesh election.
Legacy and Impact
Few actors in India have combined cinema and politics the way Pawan Kalyan has. His films shaped a generation of Telugu youth culture, and his rise to Deputy Chief Minister has made him one of the most influential public figures in Andhra Pradesh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pawan Kalyan
How old is Pawan Kalyan?
Pawan Kalyan was born on 2 September 1971, making him 55 years old as of 2026.
Is Pawan Kalyan the Deputy CM of Andhra Pradesh?
Yes. He became Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh on 14 June 2024.
What is Pawan Kalyan’s real name?
His real name is Konidela Kalyan Kumar.
What is Pawan Kalyan’s latest movie?
His latest release is Ustaad Bhagat Singh, released on 19 March 2026.
What is Pawan Kalyan’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at approximately ₹165 crore, based on declared assets and public reports.
Final Summary
Pawan Kalyan’s journey from Tholi Prema to the Deputy Chief Minister’s office is unique in Indian public life. A star with a devoted fanbase and a politician with real power, he continues to balance both worlds.
