Although actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan charges more than Rs 20 crore as remuneration for his films, at his recently concluded public meetings at Tirupati and Kakinada, he claimed that he doesn’t have the money to survive. That’s why he does films, and a lot depends on the production cost and the box office numbers.
In Tollywood, after doing a few good films, most actors get settled and lead a good life, so it is quite surprising to hear those words from him. However, if you analyse the actor’s career in the last few years, may be the actor is right.
From 2013 until now, PK has done only two films — Gopala Gopala, where he played a guest role, and Sardar Gabbar Singh which didn’t do too well. Since the cost of production was high, the actor didn’t draw his full remuneration.
“He never saves money for himself or plans for the future. He has to work to get paid and with that he maintains his basic life. If he does three to four films, he can earn more,” says a close source of the actor. What he’s made in the last 35 months, he is sustaining his family and staff with that sum.
The actor doesn’t live a flamboyant life and prefers to keep it simple. “Although he lives like a common man, his life can be high-maintenance. Expenses like personal security and other staff to the maintenance of his house leaves no money for a luxe life. Whenever the actor travels out of the city, he takes his 12-member team along, mostly for crowd-control and bears their expense out of his own pocket,” says the source.
Compared to other political parties, public meetings are zero cost for Pawan Kalyan. The Tirupathi meeting was announced just a day before the date and public gathered.
“Usually, we only set up the stage for him and somebody does the sound system, someone else puts up the barricades and sometimes even the stage. We don’t bring people in different transports as most political parties do for their meetings,” says the source.
Money Matters
According to sources, here is where he spends most of his earnings:
Helps his brother Nagababu: Pawan Kalyan’s brother Nagababu was the producer of the 2010 film, Orange. It failed miserably causing him bankruptcy. The actor came to his rescue to help him clear his debts.
Break-up with Renu Desai: It is reported that Pawan Kalyan had given Renu Desai a big sum of money when the two broke up in 2013, because their kids are living with her.
Family comes first: The actor also looks after his his third wife Anna Lezhneva (married in 2013) and their daughter Polena.
Maintenance at his farm house: The actor’s farmhouse is on the outskirts of Hyderabad, where agriculture and farming is high-maintenance.
Security: Pawan’s 12-person strong security team shadows him at his office and farm, as well as when he’s travelling.
Other staff: In addition to a 25-member staff at the farmhouse, he also has a team that gives him inputs whenever needed.
