Chiranjeevi

In India, there are some men, who are so much loved and revered by the public, that they are worshipped. They literally become their gods. These are surely not only cricketers, but also filmstars and there can be no better example than that of Chiranjeevi, who has taken the concept of idol worship to a whole new level. Throughout his career in the Telugu and Tamil film industry, he has won several awards and has acted in nearly 149 films. Currently he is also active in politics. He handles the Ministry of Tourism for Government of India. He is a member of the Congress Party.

His son Ram Charan Teja is a well known actor in the Telugu and Tamil film industries today. He also has two daughters, namely Sushmita and the younger Sreeja. His brothers Nagendra Babu and Pawan Kalyan are also into the film industry. Film producer Allu Arvind is his brother in law.

Born as Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad on 22nd August 1955 in the village of Mogalthuru near Narasapur in Andhra Pradesh. He finished his junior college from the C.S.R. Sharma College in the town of Ongole and graduated in commerce from the Y.N College in Narasapuram town. After graduating, he moved to Chennai to join the Madras Film Institue in the year 1976. Interestingly, it was his mother who suggested him to adopt 'Chiranjeevi', his onscreen name and the second name of lord Anjaneya, to whom his family devotedly worshipped.

Though he started his career with 'Pranam Khareedu', his first ever film to be released was 'Punadhirallu'. The film that gave him the recognition as an actor in the industry was 'Mana Voori Pandavulu'. He has also played the role of an anti- hero in films like 'I Love You' and 'Idi Katha Kaadu' by K. Balachandra. Most of his early roles were anti hero and negative. He played negative roles in films such as 'Mosagadu', 'Nyayam Kavali', 'Ranuva Veeran' and 'Rani Kasula Rangamma'.

His entry into lead roles came with films like 'Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya'. In particular his role in the film 'Mondi Ghatam' was greatly appreciated. He won his first Filmfare Award for his performance in the 1982 film 'Subhalekha'. However, the film that propelled him into stardom was 'Khaidi' in the year 1983. The film was a super success at the box office and made brought him to the center stage of audience's attention. His decision to move ahead with action films gave the Telugu film industry a whole new dimension.

Throughout the 80s, he continued doing Telugu films such as 'Manthri Gari', 'Goonda', 'Donga', 'Sangharsha', 'Jwala', 'Viyyankudu', 'Kondaveeti Raja' and 'Donga Mogudu'. His performance in the film 'Vijetha' earned him his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor. In the late 80s, he was seen in films like 'Swayam Krushi', 'Pasivadi Pranam' (both 1987), 'Yamudiki Mogudu' and 'Manchi Donga' (both 1988). He won his second Nandi Award for his another 1988 film 'Rudraveena'. The film also won the 'National Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration'. Apparently, he also worked opposite to Sridevi later, such as in the film 'Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari'. His 1991 film 'Gang Leader' earned him the title of 'boss of Telugu cinema'. His film 'Gharana Mogudu' was the first Telugu film that earned more than hundred million rupees of boxoffice revenue.

His first stint in the Hindi film industry came with the 1990 film 'Pratibandh'. He was nominated for a Filmfare award for his performance in the film. He also made a guest appearance in a 1996 Kannada film 'Sipaayi'. The film 'Aapathbandhavudu' (1992) earned him his their Nandi Award and as well as the Filmfare Best Actor Award for Telugu. However, as they say, that fate is never always the same, his career saw a slight fall, with films that were not doing too well as the previous ones. Film such as 'Mechanic Alludu', 'Big Boss', 'Rikshavodu' and 'S.P Parshuram' were total failures at the box ofice. Though there were some such as 'Muta Mesthri'and 'Mugguru Monagullu', which tasted moderate success.

After the storm of failure had passed away, he made a grand return with the film 'Hitler' in the year 1997. After this, he prefered to act only in a select few films. His films in the late 90s were commercial successes such as 'Master', 'Vundi' and 'Choodalani'. One such films, titled 'Sneham Kosam' was awarded the Filmfare Award. This one was his fifth. It was planned in the year 1999, for a Hollywood movie where he would star, but was cancelled due to reasons unknown.

He entered the new millenium with the film 'Annayya' in 2002. His yet another 2002 film 'Indra', earned him another Nandi Award for Best Actor and a Filmfare Best Actor Award. Hereon, he was seen in films with social message such as 'Tagore', 'Stalin' and 'Shankar Dada MBBS'.

In the year 2008, he commenced his political career, by opening a party 'Praja Rajyam'. The success was quick and astounding. In the 2009 elections, the party captured 18 seats in Andhra Paradesh State Assembly. Though it wasn't enough to help him form his own government. His party reserved more than 100 seats for the backward classes, the only party to do that. Though he won the 2009 elections from Tirupati, he lost from the Palakollu. Finally in 2011, his party merged with the Congress. In 2012, he was offered a Rajya Sabha seat. On 28th October 2012, he became the Union Minister of State for Ministry of Tourism.

This super hero of Southern cinema, has not only made wonders in the film industry, but has contributed his part for humanitarian efforts. In the year 1998, he founded his own humanitarian organization, the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust (CCT). This also includes the Chiranjeevi Blood and Eye Banks. The trust is known to make over 60000 blood donations and nearly 1400 eye donations. Nearly 35000 have pledged their eye donations to the organization. The CCT was given the 'Best Voluntary Blood Bank Award' by the state governement of Andhra Pradesh.

His latest film is 'Shankar Dada Zindabad' which was released in 2008.