ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846 Pawan Kalyan's Inconsistent Political Agenda Might Make Janasena Party Come Undone SWAMY KALVA UDAY KUMAR GADDAM Swamy Kalva (
[email protected]) is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Political Science in the University of Hyderabad. Uday Kumar Gaddam (
[email protected]) is an independent research scholar based in Hyderabad. Vol. 53, Issue No. 31, 04 Aug, 2018 We are indebted to an anonymous reviewer of this paper for providing insightful and sharp comments and providing directions for additional work which has resulted in this paper. Without the reviewer’s supportive insights, this paper would not have been possible. Pawan Kalyan’s political party, the Janasena Party has no clear agenda and has been inconsistent in taking concrete steps. It looks unlikely that the political outfit can succeed solely based on Pawan Kalyan’s on-screen prowess. Film actors in the South Indian cinema industry tend to enjoy a larger-than-life image. Right from the emergence of MG Ramachandran (MGR) in Tamil Nadu and Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) in Andhra Pradesh, and the entry of screenplay writer and poet M Karunanidhi, there has been a periodical entry of one celebrated actor or the other into politics. Recently, Rajianikanth and Kamal Haasan, also made announcements about their political futures. As artistes, they enjoy an exclusive place in the minds and hearts of millions of fans. Rajinikanth's moves and statements, in particular, are being closely monitored, especially by seasoned political stalwarts, as they see a threat (or a potential ally) in the superstar, who can make or break existing parties and governments.