A win for Pawan Kalyan with tactical political move

In a dramatic display of political and cinematic clout, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan has successfully defused a potential theatre strike that threatened to disrupt the release of his highly anticipated film, Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs. Spirit. Scheduled for a grand release on June 12, 2025, the film now appears to be on firm ground after Kalyan’s calculated intervention forced the Telugu film industry to re-evaluate its stance.

The controversy erupted when over 60 exhibitors across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana announced plans for a theatre shutdown from June 1, demanding a transition from the rental-based revenue model to a percentage-based revenue-sharing structure.

The timing—just weeks before major releases including Hari Hara Veera Mallu—raised eyebrows and triggered a political firestorm. Kalyan’s fans and party supporters viewed the strike as a deliberate attempt to derail his film, which carries strong political undertones and allegorical references to the contemporary power struggle in Andhra Pradesh.

Pawan Kalyan fires back

In a strongly worded statement, Pawan Kalyan, who also holds the Cinematography portfolio in the Andhra Pradesh cabinet, lashed out at sections of the Telugu film industry for what he termed a “disrespectful attitude” and lack of engagement with the current government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He reminded industry leaders of the harassment faced by actors, producers, and technicians during the YSR Congress regime and accused some of ingratitude despite their survival during tough times.

Kalyan urged key bodies—the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, Producers Council, and Movie Artists’ Association—to engage constructively with the government rather than resorting to disruptive strikes. He also pointed to systemic issues such as tax evasion and substandard theatre infrastructure, revealing that a comprehensive new policy for the film sector is in the pipeline.

Strike withdrawn

The backlash was immediate and intense. Jana Sena Party cadres warned of consequences if Hari Hara Veera Mallu was obstructed. Meanwhile, Cinematography Secretary Kandula Durgesh announced a probe into the alleged formation of a cartel by exhibitors and distributors.

Faced with mounting political pressure and public outrage, exhibitors called off the proposed strike on May 24.

Strategic victory for Pawan Kalyan

Observers see this episode as a strategic masterstroke by Pawan Kalyan. By framing the strike as not just a threat to his film but as an affront to the state’s cinematic ecosystem, he consolidated his political base while securing the release of his film. “Pawan Kalyan has effectively blurred the lines between politics and cinema. His ability to mobilize support from both fans and influential industry players reflects his rising stature in both arenas,” remarked a Hyderabad-based film analyst.