For most people, horror films are a source of fear and sleepless nights. For Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan, however, they serve a very different purpose. The actor-politician recently revealed that watching horror movies helps calm his mind and even assists him in getting some rest when sleep proves elusive.

During a conversation with ANI, Pawan Kalyan spoke about his fondness for the genre, while also sharing his thoughts on recent films that left a strong impression on him.

The Telugu star said he prefers celebrating compelling storytelling rather than drawing comparisons between Hindi and South Indian cinema.

A fan of horror for an unusual reason

Speaking about his viewing preferences, Kalyan explained that horror films have a unique effect on him.

"I like horror films because they engage me. They don't let me think. They arrest my mind. Otherwise, my mind goes haywire. When I don't get sleep, I watch a horror film and suddenly my mind calms down," he said.

According to him, the immersive nature of horror cinema helps him switch off from his racing thoughts, making it one of his preferred genres.

"I liked one film called Baramulla," he said.

Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and backed by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, Baramulla is a 2025 supernatural horror thriller starring Manav Kaul and Bhasha Sumbli in lead roles.

Kalyan said the film's storytelling approach stood out to him because of the way it explored its subject matter.

"What he conveyed in that film was entirely different. I felt it was a great narrative approach," he remarked.

The actor-politician explained that Baramulla resonated with him on a deeply personal level, reminding him of his own experiences in Kashmir during the late 1980s.

Kalyan recalled travelling frequently to Srinagar between 1987 and 1989 for film shoots, a period during which he witnessed the early signs of unrest in the region.

"I had seen those little tremors. I felt the Kashmiri Pandits' suffering and all that. I had seen it at a very initial stage, when those little tremors were there. I don't like it when someone tells me, 'Get out.' I think that's one painful thing. That's why I liked Baramulla," he said.

Praise for Dhurandhar

The Deputy Chief Minister also shared his appreciation for Dhurandhar, highlighting what he described as the film's fearless approach.

"I like Dhurandhar. I like the boldness in Dhurandhar. I didn't see the second part because I couldn't afford to go to the theatre. But I liked what they did," he said.

Dhurandhar is a spy action thriller directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Aditya Dhar. The film featured an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna and Sanjay Dutt in key roles.

Today, Pawan Kalyan remains one of the most recognisable figures in both Telugu cinema and Indian politics. Widely known as the "Power Star" among fans, he built a successful career as an actor and martial artist before stepping into public life.

Kalyan currently serves as the 11th Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and continues to be one of the most influential personalities in South India.