Andhra DyCM Pawan Kalyan Plans To Keep Acting Amid Politics: Will Do Films For Money, Serve People Selflessly

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan has expressed his intention to balance his acting career with his political responsibilities.

In an interview with Thanthi TV, he explained that his lifelong ambition has been to 'serve the people,' but he will keep acting as long as he 'needs the money.' Here's what he had to say. (Also Read: Abhimanyu Singh on reuniting with Pawan Kalyan for 'OG' after 'Gabbar Singh': 'He hasn't changed at all, but he's busier')

Photo Credit: https://x.com/PawanKalyan

Pawan Kalyan on why he'll keep acting

Pawan's Janasena Party, in alliance with the Telugu Desam Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, won every seat it contested in Andhra Pradesh.

Nevertheless, the actor-turned-politician said he'll continue acting due to prior commitments. "I took a lot of inspiration from Henry David Thoreau, yogis, or siddhars. You do something selflessly and work for the people...that's what I thought. I never amassed that (wealth)...I never started any business, including film production. My only income is cinema. Because I have committed (to films) I now have to do justice," he remarked.

When asked how he'd avoid being labelled a 'part-time actor' or 'part-time politician,' Pawan highlighted that many politicians manage businesses alongside their official duties.

"A lot of leaders have their own businesses. If they could do that and also do well in politics, so can I. You have to be a passionate actor and a passionate political leader for both to work. When I was acting, I was learning about administration and reading up on public policy from the mid-90s. As long as I need money, I would like to (act). That too without compromising on my administrative and political job," he explained.

Upcoming projects

Pawan last appeared on screen in the 2023 film 'Bro' alongside his nephew Sai Durgha Tej. Before campaigning for the Andhra Pradesh elections and taking up the role of Deputy CM, he signed on for several films.

He still needs to complete shooting for Krish and AM Jyothi Krishna's 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu', Sujeeth's 'They Call Him OG', and Harish Shankar's 'Ustaad Bhagat Singh'.