Pawan Kalyan lashes out at the Central Government

While addressing a public meeting in Tirupati  after a gap of two years, Power star Pawan Kalyan protested against the Centre for not according a special category status  to Andhra Pradesh. The Jana Sena founder announced a three-phase agitation. "We are not begging or asking for alms. Andhra Pradesh is asking for its rights", he said. "I like the BJP but there is no commonality between it and Jana Sena on some issues," he pointed out. Pawan Kalyan displayed varied emotions during his one hour-long address, often cracking jokes on himself.

"I am not passionate about films but I will continue to act. I don't have money, so will have to act. Unless you people buy tickets and watch my movies, I don't get money. You people didn't watch my last film Sardar well and I suffered (financially)," Kalyan quipped. He rubbished the criticism that he is a champion of one caste. "They say that when I raise the issue of farmers in Amaravti. And when I show a little bit of appreciation for Chandrababu Naidu, I'm described as a TDP stooge. I am not a stooge of Modi or Naidu.

I am a stooge of the people," Pawan Kalyan said.  The speech wasn't just political, it was personal. "I am above caste, religion and region. My daughter is a Christian. When my wife said she wanted her to be baptised in a church in Russia, I readily agreed. Though I am a Hindu, I have respect for other religions because I believe that all religions lead to the same God," the actor said.