Ī 5 BL saturday, april 12, 2014 meet

Ofscreen theatrics Actor launching his new political outfit, , in PV SIVAKUMAR

Star power and Pawanism Telugu actor Pawan Kalyan now channels the angry young man on the political platform

n 2013, the little-known director Chaita- ther his ‘ hatao, Desh bachao’ slogan at the launch of JSP, Varma tweeted: “Way Kalyan nya announced the launch of a film titled the launch of JSP nor his open endorsement of spoke, if 10 per cent Chiranjeevigaru spoke at IPawanism. It was meant to be a tribute to — which has earned him some Praja Rajyam launch... forget AP CM, forget In- Pawan Kalyan, the youngest brother of detractors in the show business — add up to an dian PM, he would have become American ’s megastar-turned-politician ideology. The vagueness of the party’s website president (sic).” . Pawanism, the director went on on the ideological front is disarming: “JSP’s From his movies, Pawan brings to the politi- to elaborate, is “the collective adulation of ideology comes from this firm belief of Mr Pa- cal platform the angry, albeit not-so-young crores of Pawan Kalyan fans ... (which) could wan Kalyan that in public life one must stand man. Back in 2000, in Badri, he redefined an- set a new path for youngsters.” The film was by one’s convictions and not lose faith in them ger on the Telugu screen. In his films, and not completed but it drew attention to the when the situations become tough.” What those of other stars that followed, the hero’s puzzle that is Pawanism, defined as a religion then do we make of Pawan and his ‘isms’? anger has had no immediate cause: no dead by some of his followers. With the launch of Not easily accessible to the media (this au- father to avenge (like Amitabh Bachchan’s the Jana Sena Party (JSP), Pawan has institu- thor tried but failed to reach him), Pawan is character in Zanjeer), no feudal oppressor to tionalised this ism, limited so far to t-shirts, prone to making news by other means and for fight back (like in Chiranjeevi’s Khaidi)… In- stickers and tattoos sighted at screenings of actions unrelated to acting. He is definitely stead, anger now springs from an arrogant the star’s films and IPL matches in Hyderabad. not Mr Nice Guy. On the contrary, and defiant disposition. It is atti- Notwithstanding such hype, no one seems he is Telugu cinema’s most con- tude in its purest form. to know what Pawanism really is. As a blogger troversial celebrity. Breaking tra- The anger that drives Pawan- put it most unhelpfully, “It is a religion formed ditional values, he is divorced and ism is, first of all, a style state- WhileQ it’s too early by Pawan fans and followed (by them). It is has children from two other rela- ment. Second, not prompted by to tell if his political about his style, ideologies, creativity, etc.” Un- tionships. He has been accused of specific causes, it can be directed career will take of, derstandably, with stardom and glamour temperamental behaviour in the at any cause that comes in the way his speeches will, comes style. Pawan is one of Telugu cinema’s past, including a punch or two of youth with ‘attitude’. “I want doubtless, leave his biggest stars, despite his modest tally of 19 aimed at media persons. A war- answers,” demands Pawan’s char- opponents smarting films in as many years in the industry. He has rant was issued against him for acter in Cameraman Gangatho and the crowds delivered phenomenal hits such as Badri an election speech in 2009, when Rambabu (2012), after thrashing cheering (2000), Kushi (2001), (2008) and, more re- he attacked several important goondas out to instigate a caste cently, Gabbar Singh (2012). One might even Congress leaders and gave a call riot at a university campus. Of- concede that Pawan is creative, albeit with a to “chase and hit them (Congress- screen too, he has now establish- pinch of salt. Unlike Chiranjeevi, Pawan is not men) till their loincloths fall.” Ear- R ed a “party which questions” and a particularly versatile actor. Most of his films lier this year, online forums were abuzz with an army that will fight for a “just and balanced are romantic action-comedies centred on an speculations about his family’s role in abet- society.” The entire enterprise will be powered invincible hero. His only directorial venture, ting the suicide of a young Telugu actor. by inciting and harnessing the anger of a gen- Johnny (2003), was an expensive flop. To his While it’s too early to tell if Pawan’s political eration of de-politicised, movie-crazy youth. credit, however, he has tried his hand at chore- career will take of, there can be little doubt The moment is pregnant with possibilities ography, action and even playback singing. that his speeches will leave his opponents and fraught with danger. Because anger is not The most intriguing thing about Pawanism, smarting and the crowds cheering. Pawan is a just about being cool. Whether Pawanism is a though, is the ideology, or rather the absence powerful orator. Even as he prepares to take productive force or merely an illusory emo- of it (unless you take the logo, with the actor on the Congress, whose campaign is being led tion remains to be seen. sporting a Che Guevera look, as a heavy hint). by his older brother Chiranjeevi in Seemand- Having played an active role in the 2009 cam- hra, director Ram Gopal Varma revealed the sv srinivas is the author of Megastar and Politics as paign for Chiranjeevi’s worst-kept secret of the 2009 elections in And- Performance and senior fellow at the Centre for the (PRP), Pawan is not a political novice. Yet, nei- hra Pradesh. Responding to Pawan’s speech at Study of Culture and Society, Bangalore (CSCS)