Pawan Kalyan Birthday: 5 Iconic ‘Power Star’ Movies and Where To Watch Them Online

Born on September 2, 1971, Telugu cinema star turned political leader Pawan Kalyan turns 58, celebrating a career that spans nearly three decades across cinema and public life. Known as the "Power Star" to millions of fans, Kalyan built a massive fanbase through a distinct mix of stylised action, comedy, and intense screen presence before transitioning into politics, where he currently serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. ‘He Was Always a Hero for Me’: Pawan Kalyan Shares Childhood Memories With Chiranjeevi on Birthday.

While his political responsibilities take precedence today, Kalyan's cinematic legacy remains a cornerstone of modern Telugu pop culture. For audiences looking to revisit or discover his work, here is a breakdown of five defining films from his career and where to stream them online.

5 Best Pawan Kalyan Movies

1. ‘Tholi Prema’ (1998)

Directed by A. Karunakaran, Tholi Prema is widely regarded as the film that cemented Kalyan’s status as a youth icon in the late 1990s. The romantic drama follows Balu, a relaxed young man whose life shifts after falling in love with Anu (Kirti Reddy). The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu and set a benchmark for contemporary romantic cinema in the industry.

Where to Stream: Disney+ Hotstar, Sun NXT

2. ‘Thammudu ’(1999)

Inspired by the American film Breaking Away, Thammudu stars Kalyan as a carefree college student who steps up to compete in a boxing championship to redeem his family's honour. Directed by P.A. Arun Prasad, the sports action drama combined high-energy music with emotional family dynamics, establishing Kalyan's signature style and screen persona.

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Sun NXT

3. ‘Gabbar Singh’ (2012)

Following a period of commercial lulls, Gabbar Singh delivered a historic box-office comeback for Kalyan. Directed by Harish Shankar, this official remake of the Hindi film Dabangg reimagined the central cop character, Venkataratnam Naidu, to match Kalyan's mass appeal. The film went on to break several box-office records and remains one of the most celebrated action-comedies in Telugu cinema.

Where to Stream: Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5

4. ‘Attarintiki Daredi’ (2013)

Written and directed by Trivikram Srinivas, Attarintiki Daredi proved Kalyan's box-office pull across family audiences. Playing Gautham Nanda, a wealthy heir who enters his estranged aunt’s household incognito to reconcile family ties, Kalyan balanced lighthearted comedy with dramatic depth. Despite a partial leak before release, the film emerged as one of the highest-grossing Telugu movies of its decade.

Where to Stream: Disney+ Hotstar, MX Player

5. ‘Bheemla Nayak’ (2022)

An adaptation of the Malayalam thriller Ayyappanum Koshiyum, Bheemla Nayak pairs Kalyan alongside Rana Daggubati. Directed by Saagar K Chandra with dialogue by Trivikram Srinivas, the action drama centres on a clash of egos between an uncompromising police officer and an influential ex-military officer. The film highlighted Kalyan’s intense, mature performance in his recent phase of cinema. ‘Khalifa’ X Review: Moviegoers Feel Prithviraj Sukumaran and Vysakh’s Crime Saga Is ‘All Style, No Substance’.

Where to Stream: Disney+ Hotstar, Aha

Pawan Kalyan's trajectory from mainstream film star to key political figure in Andhra Pradesh reflects his broad public reach. While his focus has largely shifted toward administration and governance, these five films capture the key phases of his acting career from his early days as a youth icon to his status as a leading box-office draw.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2026 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).