Actors Pawan Kalyan (left) and Chiranjeevi - siblings and now political opponents. (File photo)
Chiranjeevi has competition at home. Not just in films, but in politics as well now. His younger brother and popular actor Pawan Kalyan will formally launch his political party, the Jana Sena, this Friday.
The 42-year-old announced this even as older brother Chiranjeevi was handed the key assignment of heading the Congress' campaign committee for the Seemandhra region in the general elections and the Andhra Pradesh assembly elections to be held simultaneously on April 30 and May 7.
On Friday, sources close to Pawan Kalyan told NDTV, the actor will share with his fans, supporters and "Telugu people across the world'' on why he has decided to enter politics.
The launch at the swanky Hyderabad International Convention Centre promises to be no less than a multi-screen Pawan Kalyan release. Fans have been encouraged to spread the word and gather in groups to watch their cine hero launch his party, announce the core team, share his party's ideology and talk about how he intends to "cleanse'' the political system.
Chiranjeevi is reportedly not very excited at his younger brother's political plans. In 2009, Pawan Kalyan had campaigned for Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party or PRP, which got 16 per cent of the votes and 18 assembly seats. Chiranjeevi later merged his party with the Congress.
Pawan Kalyan had reportedly approached some parties for support to contest the Kakinada Lok Sabha seat. He could still work out a tactical understanding with parties like the Telugu Desam, whose Chandrababu Naidu has offered a partnership. Mr Naidu knows Pawan Kalyan can be a valuable ally.
Pawan Kalyan is a karate black belt and has led a dramatic personal life. He is thrice married; he had divorced his first wife after she accused him of bigamy. He is one of the most successful Tollywood heroes; in 2012 his film 'Gabbar Singh', a remake of the Hindi film 'Dabangg', was one of the highest grossers of 2012.