In a big relief to Jana Sena Party chief and Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, the state high court has dismissed a petition seeking to restrain him from acting in films while holding public office.
The petition, filed by former IAS officer Vijay Kumar, had alleged that Pawan Kalyan had misused government funds and the official machinery for the promotion and related activities of his film “Hari Hara Veera Mallu.”
He urged the court to order an independent inquiry into the matter.
The case came up for hearing before the high court, where counsel appearing for the petitioner argued that it was unethical for a person holding the office of deputy chief minister to continue acting in films.
The petitioner’s side also raised objections regarding the issue of enhanced ticket prices for “Hari Hara Veera Mallu,” alleging that the applicable rules and procedures had not been followed.
It was further argued that Pawan Kalyan had misused his official position and influence to benefit the film and its promotional activities.
Appearing for the state, state advocate general Dammalapati Srinivas and additional advocate general Sambasiva Pratap strongly contested the allegations and argued that there is no legal prohibition on a person serving as chief minister or minister from acting in films.
They also referred to an earlier legal position involving former chief minister and actor N T Rama Rao (NTR), stating that the high court had in the past delivered a clear ruling on the issue, indicating that public office and film activity are not automatically incompatible in the absence of a statutory bar.
On the issue of ticket price revision, the AG and AAG clarified that the decision was taken based on a request from the film’s producer, and not at the instance of the deputy chief minister.
They told the court that Pawan Kalyan had no direct role in the government’s decision on ticket pricing.
The government also argued that the petitioner had failed to place any substantive evidence before the court to establish the allegation of abuse of power. It further contended that the petition was politically motivated and lacked legal merit.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Venkata Jyothirmayi had earlier reserved orders in the matter. The court has now pronounced its decision, dismissing the petition.
The ruling effectively clears the way for Pawan Kalyan to continue his involvement in cinema while serving as deputy CM, at least in the absence of any specific legal bar or demonstrable misuse of office.