AP Needs Economic Support, Not Endless Status Debate: Pawan Kalyan

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan has said that the long-standing debate over Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh is a consequence of decisions taken during the state's bifurcation and not the result of policies pursued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Speaking in an interview, Pawan Kalyan argued that the roots of the issue lie in the manner in which the Congress-led UPA government handled the division of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, resulting in the loss of Hyderabad , the region's principal economic and revenue hub, to Telangana.

According to Pawan Kalyan, the bifurcation left the residuary state facing significant financial challenges at a crucial stage of its development. He noted that while the UPA government had promised Special Category Status to support Andhra Pradesh's reconstruction after the division, the state was ultimately left to deal with the economic consequences of losing its capital and key revenue sources. Describing the issue as a legacy problem inherited from previous governments, he maintained that the current situation cannot be attributed to the Modi administration. The Deputy Chief Minister criticized the Congress for what he termed a divisive and poorly executed bifurcation process that created long-term economic difficulties for Andhra Pradesh.

His remarks come at a time when the political discourse surrounding Special Category Status has undergone a noticeable shift. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) , which had exited the NDA in 2018 over the issue, is now part of the alliance once again. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has increasingly focused on securing major investments, infrastructure projects, industrial incentives and financial assistance from the Centre rather than pursuing the Special Category Status demand alone. The government believes Andhra Pradesh's development requirements now extend beyond a single designation and require a broader economic support framework.

Supporting this approach, Pawan Kalyan suggested that continuing to pursue Special Category Status without any realistic prospect of achieving it could amount to a "fruitless struggle." He emphasized that once a collective decision has been accepted by the government and endorsed through the democratic process, attention should shift toward securing practical benefits that can strengthen the state's economy, create employment opportunities and accelerate development.

Apart from politics, Pawan Kalyan also spoke about cinema and praised two films that recently impressed him. He lauded the Bollywood spy-action thriller "Dhurandhar," directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh , R. Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt . The actor-politician said he does not like comparing Hindi and South Indian cinema, preferring instead to appreciate good storytelling irrespective of language. He added that his schedule did not allow him enough time to watch the film's subsequent installment in theatres, but he admired its ambition and execution.

Pawan Kalyan also expressed appreciation for "Baramulla," saying the film resonated deeply with him because of its portrayal of Kashmir's turbulent past. A fan of horror and thriller films, he remarked that such movies help him become fully immersed in a story and provide a sense of mental calm. He revealed that watching horror films often helps him relax and focus, especially when he finds it difficult to sleep.

Reflecting on his experiences in Srinagar during the late 1980s, Pawan Kalyan said Baramulla brought back memories of visits he made to Kashmir for film shoots between 1987 and 1989. He recalled witnessing the early signs of unrest in the Valley and observing the hardships faced by Kashmiri Pandits during that period. The Deputy Chief Minister said the pain of being forced to leave one's homeland is profound and praised the film for presenting that chapter of history through a compelling and emotionally powerful narrative.

Widely known as the "Power Star" among Telugu cinema fans, Pawan Kalyan continues to balance a successful film career with his responsibilities as Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister, remaining one of the state's most prominent figures in both politics and entertainment.