In a rare moment of candour, actor-politician and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has admitted that he felt “jealous” seeing Tamil superstar Vijay’s overwhelming political victory in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, where his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), stormed to power with a clear majority.
Speaking at a promotional event in Hyderabad for his upcoming film Hari Hara Veera Mallu, Kalyan confessed that Vijay’s success was not merely a personal milestone but a moment of reflection for his own political ambitions.
‘Somewhere, I felt jealous’
“When I saw Vijay anna’s victory and the celebrations among the fans, I felt very happy for him. But somewhere deep down, I also felt jealous. I thought, ‘Why did this not happen to me? When will my fans get to celebrate like this in politics?'” Kalyan said.
The remark, which was met with a mix of applause and stunned silence from the audience, quickly went viral on social media, with fans and political commentators dissecting Kalyan’s emotional outburst.
Kalyan clarified that his jealousy was not rooted in malice but in admiration. “It is not that I want him to fail. I want to succeed like him. He achieved in one election what I have been trying to do for over a decade.”
Kalyan’s political struggle
Pawan Kalyan founded the Jana Sena Party in 2014, banking on his immense fan following from Telugu cinema. In the 2019 elections, the party won just one seat in the Andhra Pradesh assembly. In the 2024 elections, he contested as part of the NDA alliance and won 21 seats, becoming the second-largest party in the coalition government. He was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister.
However, Kalyan’s role has largely been as a junior partner, with the BJP and TDP dominating coalition decisions. Vijay, by contrast, founded TVK in 2024, and within two years, secured a landslide victory, becoming the Chief Minister of a major state without any pre-poll alliances.
Comparing the two stars
Political analysts have often compared the two actor-turned-politicians, but the trajectories could not be more different. Vijay’s party relied heavily on his fan base, youth outreach, and a carefully crafted anti-establishment narrative. Kalyan’s Jana Sena, despite its passionate following, has struggled to shed its “fringe” image.
Kalyan acknowledged this gap. “Maybe I started too early, or maybe I didn’t have the right strategy. Vijay anna had a clear vision from day one. He didn’t compromise. I made compromises. I joined alliances. Maybe that diluted my message.”
Allu Arjun was ‘reborn’ after Pushpa
In the same interview, Kalyan also made headlines for his comments on Allu Arjun’s career resurgence after the Pushpa franchise. “Allu Arjun is not the same person after Pushpa. He was reborn as a pan-India star. The confidence, the swagger, the way he carries himself — it’s completely different. I feel happy for him, but again, somewhere, I also feel… ‘Why not me?'”
Fans of the actor noted that Kalyan’s recent film Hari Hara Veera Mallu is being positioned as his pan-India breakout, but with political commitments limiting his promotional tours, the film’s reach remains uncertain.
What next for Jana Sena?
Kalyan’s comments suggest a growing restlessness within the Jana Sena ranks. The party faces an uncertain future in Andhra politics, sandwiched between the dominant TDP and YSRCP. With no state elections due until 2029, Kalyan’s political relevance may depend on national alliance politics — a space where Vijay, as a regional satrap, currently holds greater influence.
When asked whether he would consider a pre-poll alliance with TVK for the 2029 general elections, Kalyan smiled but did not answer. “Let me first focus on my film. Politics can wait for another day.”
Vijay’s response
Vijay, now Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was asked about Kalyan’s comments at a press conference in Chennai. The actor-politician chose his words carefully. “Pawan Kalyan is a great artist and a senior politician. I have immense respect for him. His jealousy, if he truly feels it, is a compliment. But I believe every leader has their own journey. Comparisons are not useful.”
The exchange has, however, added a new dimension to the cross-border cinematic and political rivalry between two of South India’s biggest stars — and their fans on social media are already picking sides.
