It was 15 years on this day that Akkada Ammai Ikkada Abbai released. When Chiranjeevi's younger brother made his acting debut in a forgettable film directed by late EVV Satyanarayana, they described him as an acting novice with a heavy influence of his Megaster brother in his style and demeanour. Least did any one imagine, much less the die-hard fans of Chiru, who was a reigning superstar at that time, that Kalyan Babu would go on to become Power Star Pawan Kalyan in a span of few years.

Gokulamlo Seetha (1997) made us wonder if he was planning to choose the path of Naveen Vaddes and Srikanths. It later turned out that he was out to take a less-traversed path. Playing a college buddy role, he delivered an understated act in Suswagatham (1998), much to the thundering applause of the youngsters. The film went on to become a silver jubilee hit. But what was more important was that, the film established his credentials as an actor of mettle. He followed it up with yet another studied performance in Tholi Prema the same year.

A year later, he turned the tables on an industry that had lost the hopes of seeing a macho underdog hero. Thammudu proved that Pawan had it to become a star. But it was not until Badri (2000) happened that it became clear that he could also become a youth icon. The new age action hero with style and panache was here.

What ensued is history. Khushi (2001) could have redefined the tastes of the urban audience in a big way but for the absence of efficient improvisers unlike in Bollywood, which rendered creative story-telling with a dose of stylised heroism largely unexplored.

The film made him a force to reckon with. His career may have drifted later, what with a string of flops marring his market (but not his unmatched standing which is still big).

His fans eagerly await the release of Panjaa in the hope that it will pip others and put him on the top slot. Is this too much an expectation from an intense performer and style icon like Pawan Kalyan?