Pawan Kalyan recently resumed his duties as Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister much earlier than expected after taking a break for medical treatment.
The actor-politician had undergone nose surgery for sinus and vision-related issues and was resting at his Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad for nearly a month.
Initially, he had reportedly planned to return only by the end of May, but he unexpectedly resumed official duties last week.
According to political insiders, the sudden return came amid growing social media discussions and criticism following Vijay’s massive political success in Tamil Nadu.
After Vijay became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, comparisons between the two actor-politicians intensified online.
A section of social media users questioned why Pawan Kalyan’s party had not emerged as an independent political force despite being active for more than a decade.
Critics also targeted his alliance with the Telugu Desam Party, with some claiming that he had settled into a supporting role instead of building a dominant political movement like Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
Sources say Pawan Kalyan’s advisors suggested that he should quickly return to public duties instead of extending his stay in Hyderabad, as a prolonged absence could negatively affect public perception.
Soon after resuming work, Pawan Kalyan addressed party workers and clarified that his primary objective in politics was not to become Chief Minister, but to contribute to society and bring meaningful change to the state through his political journey.
Political observers say the online comparisons gained traction because of the contrasting political journeys of Vijay and Pawan Kalyan, leading to intense debate across social media platforms.
