Kalyan Padala (కల్యాణ్ పాడల) is a former Indian Army soldier and reality TV personality from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. Growing up in a disciplined middle-class household, he was drawn to fitness and service from a young age, eventually enlisting in the Indian Army where he served for approximately three years as a jawan before returning to civilian life. In 2025, he competed in Bigg Boss Agnipariksha, a rigorous pre-show hosted by Sreemukhi and judged by former contestants Abijeet, Bindu Madhavi, and Navdeep, through which commoners competed to earn a spot in the main Bigg Boss house. He was selected by public vote and entered Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 (hosted by Nagarjuna Akkineni) as a commoner contestant alongside celebrity housemates. His calm, disciplined approach and strategic gameplay won over audiences week after week. On 21 December 2025, he was crowned the winner of Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 — becoming the first-ever commoner to win the title in the show's history — defeating runner-up Thanuja Puttaswamy. He walked away with a cash prize of ₹35 lakh and a Maruti Suzuki Victoris SUV. He is affectionately nicknamed 'Pawan Kalyan (Army)' by fans.
Becoming the first-ever commoner to win Bigg Boss Telugu (Season 9, 2025); earning a spot in the house through the Bigg Boss Agnipariksha pre-show competition.