Pawan Kalyan, in a recent interaction with the national media, particularly with veteran journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, impressed viewers with his clarity, composure, and depth of knowledge.
Known for avoiding direct media confrontations or giving vague replies, Pawan completely broke that perception today by answering every question with spontaneity and substance — without any beating around the bush.
When Rajdeep asked if Hari Hara Veera Mallu was intended to portray the Mughals as villains, in line with films like Chhava that align with Hindutva narratives, Pawan responded with historical context and personal reflection.
He said, “I studied history in school, where Mughals were described positively — Akbar was 'great', Shah Jahan was 'artistic', and Aurangzeb was a devout Muslim. Jizya tax was only briefly mentioned. But later, I read books by Telugu historian Prasad and was shocked to learn the other side — how Mughals persecuted Hindus and how oppressive jizya really was. I wondered why this was missing from school textbooks. That curiosity influenced my decision to reflect that perspective in the film.”
Rajdeep then challenged him on his perceived shift from opposing Hindi imposition to promoting the language.
Pawan responded, “No language can be learned by force. I learned English out of necessity — not compulsion — and that’s why we’re speaking in English today. Similarly, I studied Hindi as a second language in school. Whatever I can read or write in Hindi is thanks to that. I also lived in Chennai and love Tamil. I still believe Hindi should never be forced on anyone. But I strongly oppose hatred toward Hindi.”
When Rajdeep pressed whether he could make the same statement in Tamil Nadu, Pawan replied confidently, “Yes, why not? Except for a few politicians, the people of Tamil Nadu don’t hate Hindi. Subramania Bharati, the iconic Tamil poet of the pre-independence era, wore a Sikh turban to represent the idea of a unified India. He admired several languages. Tamilians still revere him.”
Pawan’s clarity remained consistent when asked about his ideological journey from admiring Che Guevara to aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He explained, “I still love Che Guevara. I grew up with a socialist outlook. That doesn't mean I should be against Sanatana Dharma.”
Across all his answers, Pawan displayed remarkable composure, intellectual honesty, and fluency. The clarity and spontaneity of his responses were both impressive and refreshing — potentially reshaping how he’s perceived in political and intellectual circles.
