[33] He later brought national attention to the chronic kidney disease crisis in Uddanam,[34] and led protests against forced land acquisition,[31] and illegal mining in reserved forests.

In the film, Kalyan plays a spoiled rich youth who transforms his reckless ways and fights against societal and familial opposition to win his love.

The line "Nuvvu Nanda aithe nenu Badri Badrinath" and songs like "Ye Chikitha" and "Bangala Kathamlo" continued to be popular even after two decades.

[76] Produced by Allu Aravind with music by Ramana Gogula, the martial arts film featured Kalyan as a coach who fights to fund his wife's cancer treatment.

In October 2021, Kalyan revealed that the film, inspired by Jayaprakash Narayan's Emergency movement, was set aside to focus on real-life activism, finding it more fulfilling to address social issues directly rather than through cinema.

Pawan Kalyan plays the title role of Annavaram, a blacksmith who, driven by his love for his sister, becomes a vigilante in Hyderabad to dismantle the city's criminal underworld.

[9][11] Pawan Kalyan's next film, Puli (2010), an action thriller, was written and directed by S. J. Surya and produced by Singanamala Ramesh Babu with a budget of ₹40 crore.

It was reported that the producers spent time touring sites in Jerusalem and around the Sea of Galilee and have approached the Palestinian Authority about filming in Jericho and Bethlehem.

[103] Kalyan played Venkataratnam Naidu, a police officer who takes on the alias Gabbar Singh to combat a local thug's corrupt political schemes.

In the film, Pawan Kalyan plays Lord Krishna in disguise as a common man, Govinda Gopala Hari, to help a devout atheist challenge fraudulent godmen and promote a true understanding of God.

[116] In the film, Pawan Kalyan plays Katamarayudu, a selfless man who prioritizes his brothers' well-being over his own and eventually wins the approval of his love interest's father by proving his bravery and commitment.

In the film, Kalyan plays Abhishikth Bhargav, the eldest son of a powerful businessman who returns to his family’s company from exile to uncover the truth behind his father's death and reclaim his rightful place in the business empire.

[120] Speculation about his return to cinema began in September 2019, with discussions about potential scripts from directors like Krish and efforts by producer Dil Raju to convince him to choose a project.

[123] Produced by Boney Kapoor and Dil Raju, and directed by Venu Sriram with dialogues by Trivikram Srinivas, filming for Vakeel Saab began on 20 January 2020, marking Kalyan's return to cinema after a two-year break following Agnyaathavaasi.

Vakeel Saab faced major challenges, such as blocked ticket price hikes and cancelled screenings due to political tensions and a COVID-19 lockdown during the second wave.

[126] Bheemla Nayak grossed over ₹192 crore worldwide in 20 days,[127] despite restrictions like lowered ticket prices and a ban on early morning shows in Andhra Pradesh, which affected its earnings.

In the film, Pawan Kalyan plays Titan, a mysterious figure who represents Time, guiding Mark through a transformative journey to rectify his past and reconcile with his responsibilities before his final departure from Earth.

[124][130] His films Vakeel Saab, Bheemla Nayak, and Bro, have encountered obstacles like cancelled benefit shows, blocked ticket price hikes, and restrictions on screenings.

[126][124] These issues are widely attributed to Kalyan's outspoken criticism of the government, leading to a perceived political vendetta that has affected the releases and earnings of his films.

[140][141] Pawan Kalyan began his political career in 2008 as the president of Yuvarajyam, the youth wing of the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), founded by his elder brother Chiranjeevi.

[150] On 21 March 2014, Kalyan met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to discuss issues concerning the Telugu states and extended his support.

[163] Pawan Kalyan announced the Jana Sena Party's 2019 election manifesto at a public meeting in Rajahmundry, outlining measures to improve the lives of farmers, farm labourers, women, youth, and students.

After the 2019 setback, Kalyan and JSP focused on highlighting issues like farmer welfare, transparent governance, poor infrastructure, illegal sand mining, women's safety, land encroachment etc.

On 3 November 2019, Kalyan led a long march in Visakhapatnam in support of construction workers, against YSR Congress Party, who have been facing unemployment due to a shortage of supply of sand in Andhra Pradesh.

[37] In the 2024 General and state Assembly elections, Kalyan played a key role in forging an alliance between JSP, TDP and BJP by limiting the number of seats his party contested.

[182] In October 2024, Pawan Kalyan directed the Kakinada district collector to inspect schools, hospitals, and sanitation facilities in 52 Gram Panchayats in his Pithapuram constituency, aiming to resolve local issues.

[188] In 2013, he provided financial assistance and essential supplies to an old-age home in Khammam facing an existential crisis[189] and donated ₹20 lakh for Uttarakhand flood victims.

[201] In September 2021, he donated ₹2 lakh financial aid to the folk artist Darsanam Mogilaiah through Pawan Kalyan Learning Centre for Human Excellence, a trust founded by him.

[209] In October 2024, he donated ₹60 lakh from his personal funds to develop a sports ground for the Mysuravaripalli government school in the Railway Koduru constituency of Annamayya district.

[220][221] In 2001, Kalyan began a relationship with Renu Desai, and they married in January 2009 in a ceremony conducted according to Arya Samaj rites at his residence in Jubilee Hills.