This was coming

Be it his last lines in ‘Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu’ or his regular appearances on the public platforms for the last one year, the reclusive Pawan Kalyan has given enough indications that he has something up his sleeve. Finally, the bubble will burst as he prepares to make a grand political foray today

While many in the industry feel the decision of Pawan Kalyan’s foray into politics was taken in haste, there are others who feel that his choice is a much pondered one. Hans Talkies goes under the scanner to learn that the decision of ‘Gabbar Singh’, an ardent follower of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan and Che Guevara, was on the cards since couple of years.

It all started with ‘Cameraman Gangatho...’

Ee rastram maa kutumbanni pattinchukokapoina parledu, kaani nenu ee rastranni pattinchukuntanu (I don’t mind if the State doesn't care about my family, but I'll always be concerned about this state), said mechanic-turned-journalist Rambabu (played by Pawan) as curtains came down on ‘Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu’, his political film which released in October 2012. This line from the film was a first sign that the actor was in plans to take a shot at politics again – after his strident campaign for the erstwhile Praja Rajyam Party. That the film was embroiled in Telangana tangle a day after its massive release ensured that focus shifted to politics rather than Pawan’s last few lines. While the controversy surrounding the film reached to peaks, Pawan distanced himself from it, so much so that it was left on the shoulders of director Puri Jagannadh, distributor Dil Raju and producer DVV Danayya to damage control the situation.

RGV’s flurry of tweets

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma was the first to openly support Pawan's entry into politics. “Just let Pawan Kalyan announce his padayatra and every other padayatra in history will be forgotten”, tweeted Ram Gopal Varma on August 5, 2013, while adding, “Pawan Kalyan’s padayatra my prediction is that it will remind people of Mahatma Gandhi’s padayatra”. The maverick maker who was on a tweeting spree that night further went on to add that Pawan will be the most dynamic among all actor-turned-leaders right from MGR to Chiranjeevi, if he indeed floats a party. He stated, “I never voted in my life but I will stand in line and vote for Pawan Kalyan.” When this correspondent approached a source who monitor’s Pawan’s filmi activities closely on Varma’s series of tweets, he said ‘if there’s something in the air it will definitely come out’. While one may have not taken the ‘Rakhta Charithra’ maker’s tweets seriously, there is no smoke without fire, right?

‘Attarintiki Daaredhi’ success meet

Pawan’s second hint that he is mulling something big--maybe on the political arena-- can be attributed to his angst-filled speech at the success meet of ‘Attarintiki Daaredhi’ on October 14 last year in Hyderabad. Coming down heavily on the people behind his film’s online leak, although he refrained naming the ‘so-called bigwigs’, the reticent actor spoke for about 35 minutes, a first for him at his film events. “Irrespective of your stature I will ensure that you meet the consequences. Just because the film is declared a hit, I’m not the one who will overlook the whole episode,” he asserted to a rousing reception from the packed Shilpakala Vedika. It was the first time that the actor spoke with such venom on a public platform after his stints with PRP, hinting that there was something under his sleeve. He ended the speech with his signature words ‘Jai Hind’.

Hyrudaya Spandana event

Besides his flash appearances at the closing ceremony of 18th Children’s International Film Festival of India, at a school event in Hyderabad last year and at the audio launch of ‘Rey’ where he spoke like a leader saying that ‘industry is for everyone’, the Hrudaya Spandana event on March 2 was his final step to enter the poll field.

In cinematic terms, his presence at the ‘Walk for Heart - Reach for a Heart’ event by Hrudaya Spandana Foundation was the climax that eventually was given a thumbs-up by his fans.

An insider from the party revealed that the actor wanted to check out his fan strength, whether they are with him on a personal front too besides filmi front, before announcing his political plans. “Indeed the fans turned up in big numbers, paving way for him to release a press statement announcing his political plans the same day,” the insider added. One look at the way the event was promoted was a pointer that the actor wanted to witness his strength.

Mega family takes Chiru’s side

Pranita J Ravi

Even as the likes of Jayasudha, Chandrabose and Sivaji endorsed Superstar Pawan Kalyan’s foray into politics by stating that his ‘following’ would help bring in a change in the society, looks like there is no support for the actor on the family front. A week after his nephew Ram Charan stated that he supports his dad Chiranjeevi, here comes another jolt for Pawan.

Through a video on Thursday, his brother Nagababu said he would choose his elder brother, Chiranjeevi, over younger brother, Pawan Kalyan in case he had to make a choice. He said, “My elder brother is the reason we are in this position today. We (Aravind, Kalyan, Bunny, Charan) are walking in the path laid down by him. Saying that Pawan Kalyan’s political entry is “his wish”, he added, “We are with you Annayya.” Looks like Pawan is waging a lone war at the poll field!