‘All thanks to Pawan Kalyan’

The friendship between art director Anand Sai and Pawan Kalyan goes a long way back, much before the two decided to be a part of the film industry. They spent many carefree days in Chennai and developed a long-lasting bond which translated equally well on the professional front – Tholi Prema, Thammudu, Bangaram, Jalsa to name a few. It’s known news that the technician is making a comeback to films with a Pawan Kalyan film to be directed by Harish Shankar.

The art director took a spiritual path in recent years to dedicate his career towards temple architecture – from associating with names like Chinna Jeeyar Swami for the construction of several temples in the US to giving a fabulous makeover to the prestigious Yadadri temple in Telangana over a five year span. In a recent talk show, when the host had asked whom he would want to thank for all his success and professional accomplishments, Anand Sai’s answer was none other than Pawan Kalyan.

“I was randomly making a few sketches of a palace on the sets of Suswagatham and Pawan Kalyan took notice of it. He was the first one to have acknowledged the artist in me and immediately roped me in for Tholi Prema. Though I am the son of a popular art director (B Chellam), my father wasn’t very keen on my entry into the film industry. At every step, it was Pawan Kalyan stood by me like a pillar. Even with the makeover to the Yadadri temple, he asked me to do it with utmost sincerity and dedication. I can’t imagine my career without him,” Anand Sai said. In an industry where gratitude is a near-forgotten term, here’s a man who hasn’t forgotten his humble beginnings yet.