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By Sagar Kamalam | Posted on 10 April 2021.

The Time We Look Back: Telugu Cinema in the 1990's and the Rise of PawanKalyan

When we look back at the 1990s, the Telugu film industry had already proven itself as a major force in Indian cinema. Our fathers' generation knows this well-they witnessed it firsthand.

But even then, there was so much more left to be achieved.

The legendary contributions of icons like Sr.NTR, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna, and many others laid a strong foundation for Telugu cinema. That legacy was carried forward by stars like Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, and, of course, Balakrishna.

And thanks to the audience—the cinema lovers, the Prekshaka Devullu—who have always stood by their favorite actors with unwavering support and love, the industry has continued to flourish across the globe.

Among the many stars, Pawan Kalyan holds a special place. He enjoys heartfelt admiration from fans and moviegoers all over the Telugu-speaking world. Honestly, he’s on another level. Even as a die-hard Mahesh Babu fan myself, I see Pawan Kalyan's journey as a true testament to the passion and love people have for cinema. Movies shape us here—they're more than entertainment; they're an experience.

For any actor, the ultimate dream is to have loyal fans who support and encourage them to keep going. As regular moviegoers, we seek joy, escape, and inspiration through films.

Interestingly, Pawan Kalyan never intended to become an actor. But destiny had other plans. From his debut in Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi, he caught the audience's attention. Being the younger brother of Chiranjeevi gave him a head start, but that alone couldn't sustain a career—he had to prove himself.

And he did.

With each film, his screen presence grew. But it wasn’t until 1998, with the releases of Suswagatham and Tholi Prema, that he truly entered the next phase of his career. Those films captured the emotions and situations of the time beautifully, establishing him as a relatable and beloved hero.

His unique style, body language, tone, and the innocence in his characters made him stand out. These traits helped him build a loyal fanbase—one that has only grown since.

Movies like Thammudu and Badri added humor and emotion, resonating with both youth and family audiences. The brother-father bond in Thammudu especially left a lasting impact. Then came Badri, directed by Puri Jagannadh, which gave him romantic appeal. And finally, Kushi—an all-time blockbuster that made him a household name. From then on, fans lovingly called him the Power Star.

Since then, his journey has seen both highs and lows. He even directed his own film, Johnny, released with massive expectations. Though it didn’t do well at the box office, it was appreciated by fans for its effort and vision.

He continued making films, but many didn’t succeed. Then came Jalsa in 2008, directed by his close friend Trivikram Srinivas. It was a hit, and fans hoped for an even bigger success next.

However, the big hits didn’t follow immediately. Despite the flops, Pawan Kalyan’s fan base only grew. He never worried about market numbers—his focus was always on giving his best.

Then came Gabbar Singh (a remake of the Hindi film Dabangg) and Attarintiki Daredi, again directed by Trivikram. Both were massive blockbusters and fan favorites.

His films have had their ups and downs, but that’s the nature of cinema. As Pawan Kalyan himself says:

“I keep trying to give my best. It’s the audience who decide if it’s a success or not. I never wanted to be an actor—I wanted to serve the country.”

True to those words, he launched the JanaSena Party and decided to step away from films after his 25th movie, Agnyaathavaasi, which unfortunately turned out to be a major flop.

After everything, he’s finally returning to the silver screen after a 3-year gap with Vakeel Saab. It's going to be a memorable experience for fans and audiences alike.

And so, I just want to say: Welcome back, Power Star!