Pawan Kalyan talks Tamil cinema, Lokesh Kanagaraj, and his Chennai roots

Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan, who also serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, recently shared his admiration for the Tamil film industry and its talents. He revealed his fondness for actor Yogi Babu and expressed his appreciation for the "filmmaking style" of director Lokesh Kanagaraj. "I liked Leo and Vikram," Pawan Kalyan said.

Kalyan also noted that he grew up in Chennai, where many of his friends still reside, underscoring his deep connection with Tamil culture. "I love SJ Suryah. Whenever we meet, I only speak to him in Tamil. That’s how I keep my Tamil alive," he revealed.

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SJ Suryah directed Pawan Kalyan in the Telugu remake of the Tamil blockbuster Kushi in 2001, which became a major hit. Suryah recently recalled pitching a spiritual sequel to Pawan Kalyan, but the project didn’t materialize as the actor had shifted away from full-fledged romantic roles.

Pawan Kalyan's acting career has taken a backseat in recent years as he focused on his political career. His party swept the Andhra Pradesh elections in alliance with the NDA. Recently, he made headlines with his passionate protests regarding the Tirupati laddu controversy, where his government alleged that the ghee used in making the sacred laddus was adulterated with animal fat, sparking a political storm.

In the meantime, Pawan Kalyan is set to resume shooting for Hari Hara Veera Mallu, a project delayed by his political commitments. The producers have announced that the movie will hit cinemas in March next year. He is also working on completing OG and the cop drama Ustaad Bhagat Singh before dedicating himself full-time to politics.

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