Pawan Kalyan Birthday: Here Are 15 Lesser Known Facts About Andhra Deputy CM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday wished actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan who turned 57 today.

In a post on X, the PM wrote, "Best wishes to Shri Pawan Kalyan Ji on his birthday. He's made a mark in hearts and minds of countless people. He is strengthening the NDA in Andhra Pradesh by focusing on good governance. Praying for his long and healthy life. @PawanKalyan."

Andhra Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu hailed his deputy for holding firm to values in politics. Many celebrities and well-wishers wished Kalyan on his special day.

Lesser Known Facts About Pawan Kalyan

As his fans across the globe celebrate his special day, here, we are listing out top 15 lesser-known facts about the Power Star:

His real name is not Pawan Kalyan: He was born Konidela Kalyan Babu. He adopted the name "Pawan" after a martial arts demonstration he performed, and it stuck as his professional name.

He is a teetotaler: Pawan Kalyan is a strict vegetarian and does not consume alcohol. He is known for his disciplined lifestyle.

He initially wanted to be a director: While acting came to him through his family, his true passion was always filmmaking and directing. His sister-in-law, Surekha Konidela (Chiranjeevi's wife), was instrumental in convincing him to enter the film industry as an actor.

He is a martial artist with a black belt: He holds a black belt in karate and is known for his skill in various martial arts disciplines, which he has showcased in his films.

His son is named after a legendary filmmaker: His son, Akira Nandan, is named after the iconic Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, whom Pawan Kalyan is a huge admirer of.

He was the first South Indian actor to endorse Pepsi: In 2001, he became the first actor from South India to be the brand ambassador for the popular soft drink brand, Pepsi.

He has a deep interest in gardening and naturopathy: He spends a lot of his free time at his farmhouse, where he cultivates fruits and vegetables. He is also a practitioner of Ashtanga yoga and naturopathy.

He is an avid reader and writer: He is known to be a voracious reader and wrote a book titled Ism, which laid out the ideology for his political party, Jana Sena.

His debut film was a remake: His first film, Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi (1996), was a remake of the Bollywood film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).

He is also a playback singer and choreographer: Besides acting and directing, Pawan Kalyan has also lent his voice to songs in several of his films, including Johnny, Thammudu, and Kushi. He has also choreographed fight sequences for his movies.

He is an "accidental actor": He has publicly stated that he considers himself an "accidental actor" and that his interests lie more in politics and social work.

He has a philanthropic organization: In 2007, he founded the "Common Man Protection Force" (CMPF), a trust aimed at addressing social problems and helping neglected sections of society. He has also made significant donations for various causes, including flood relief and aid for thalassemia patients.

He is the youngest of three brothers: He is the youngest brother of actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi and actor-producer Nagendra Babu.

He donated his entire MLA salary: After being elected as an MLA for Pithapuram, he announced that he would not be taking a salary and would instead donate the entire amount to support the welfare and education of orphaned children in his constituency.

His political party's symbol has a significant meaning: The glass tumbler, the election symbol of his Jana Sena party, was chosen to represent the common man's everyday life and struggles.