Sharad Pawar has walked the corridors of power for decades, holding his own in the face of the most difficult odds. He has seen governments form and fall, and survived every storm with intelligence and integrity. At the age of eighty-four, he remains one of the most influential politicians in the country.

What is the secret to Pawar's sustained success?

An unpredictable politician, Pawar holds his cards close to his chest, making it very difficult to second guess him or to predict his next move. He has never lost his seat at his hometown Baramati, winning every Lok Sabha election there since 1984. He has served as the chief minister of Maharashtra for four terms and served as a Union Cabinet minister under two prime ministers. A Padma Vibhushan awardee, he remains the undisputed king of Maharashtra's 'sugar bowl'. One can hate him, respect him, criticize him or worship him, but not ignore him. That is the power of the veteran leader-who is said to be even more dangerous when in the opposition than he was while in government.

After a half century in active politics, Pawar's commitment and devotion to democracy have earned him the admiration of critics. Veteran journalist Sujata Anandan dug deep into his journey to reveal the real Sharad Pawar-a unique, towering figure in the Indian political arena today.