Pawan Kalyan honored with the title of Tiger of Martial Arts, Kenjutsu included
Pawan Kalyan achieved formal kenjutsu induction, complementing his fifth dan and “Tiger of Martial Arts” titles. He is the first Telugu-speaking person to join the prestigious Takeda Shingen clan outside Japan.
Actor-politician and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has formally joined Kenjutsu, the ancient Japanese art of swordsmanship. This honor places him among the few Indians who seamlessly combine cinema, classical martial arts and martial philosophy on the international stage.
Pawan Kalyan’s association with martial arts started long before his entry into cinema and politics. During his formative years in Chennai, he underwent intensive training in karate and related disciplines, developing a strong technical and philosophical foundation. Later his pursuits moved beyond physical exercises to an in-depth study of Japanese samurai martial traditions, which he researched for years.
The actor’s understanding of martial arts has also found expression in cinema. Through films like Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi, Thammudu, Khushi, Annavaram and Oji, Pawan Kalyan brought authentic martial discipline to mainstream Indian cinema.
In recognition of his continued dedication, Pawan Kalyan has been honored with several international honours. He has been awarded the prestigious Fifth Dan (5th Dan) by the Sogo Budo Kanri Kai, one of the most respected authorities in traditional Japanese martial arts. He is also the first Telugu-speaking person outside Japan to join the Takeda Shingen clan under the lineage of Sōke Muramatsu Sensei, an honor rarely extended to Japanese practitioners.
Additionally, the 54-year-old was awarded the elite title “Tiger of Martial Arts” by the Golden Dragons organization.
As part of your advanced training, they call me OG The actor studied under renowned budo authority Hanshi Professor Dr. Siddiq Mahmoudi, one of India’s foremost exponents of the Japanese martial arts. Under his guidance, Pawan Kalyan received extensive education in Kendo, attaining a high level of technical proficiency and philosophical depth.
Pawan Kalyan was last seen in director Sujit’s period gangster film. they call me OG (2025). The film also starred Emraan Hashmi, Prakash Raj, Priyanka Arul Mohan and Arjun Das in lead roles.
The actor will be seen next Ustad Bhagat Singh.
