Chiranjeevi (Telugu: చిరంజీవి, (Born: Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad) on 22 August 1955[1], is an Indian film actor and a politician. He appeared primarily in Telugu films along with a fewHindi films. After graduating with a degree in commerce, Chiranjeevi made his acting debut inPunadhirallu (1978); Pranam Khareedu (1978) released at the box office earlier though. His performance in Khaidi (1983) and Swayam Krushi (1987) got him recognition; the latter winning the Nandi Award – his first major award. He subsequently played a variety of character types; his film roles along with his screen persona contributed to a change in the concept of a Telugu film hero.
Rudraveena (1988), for which Director K. Balachander won the National Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration was produced by Chiranjeevi. The film also made Chiranjeevi win his second Nandi Award for Best Actor. For Muta Mesthri (1993) and Sneham Kosam (1999), he won Filmfare Awards. For his performance in Indra (2003), he won the Filmfare Award and the Nandi Award. These accomplishments established him as a leading actor of Telugu cinema. His last film in a leading role was in Shankar Dada Zindabad (2007).
In 2008, he entered politics by forming the Praja Rajyam Party. In the 2009 Andhra Pradesh elections, Chiranjeevi was elected as a member of the State Assembly from Tirupaticonstituency. He led the Praja Rajyam Party to emerge as the third largest party in the same election. Popularly known as Megastar in the media,[2] Chiranjeevi was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award. In 2006, he was presented with an honorary doctorate degree from Andhra University.[3] Chiranjeevi is married to Surekha, the daughter of erstwhile comedian Allu Ramalingaiah. They have two daughters and a son, Ram Charan Teja, who is an actor in the Tollywood.
Acting career
Early beginnings (1978–1982)
Siva Shankara Varaprasad was born as the eldest of three sons of Konidela Anjana Devi and Konidela Venkat Rao. Varaprasad was quite interested in acting at a very young age. After graduating with a degree in commerce, Chiranjeevi joined the Madras Film Institute in 1977.[4]Since his family worshipped the Anjaneya, a Hindu God, his mother advised him to get the screen name of Chiranjeevi.[5] Upon completion of his film training, he started his acting career with Punadhirallu (1978), however Pranam Khareedu (1978) released at the box office earlier.[6]Immediately thereafter, he got an opportunity to work in Mana Voori Pandavulu that was directed by Bapu and written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. This film, which was based on the feudal system in the Indian society, helped Chiranjeevi to get the recognition.[4] Tayaramma-Bangarayya (1979), I Love You (1979) and director K. Balachander's Idi Katha Kaadu (1979) brought his acting talents to the fore.[4] In 1979, Chiranjeevi had eight major film releases. He followed up this trend in 1980 where 14 of his films released at the box-office.[7] With his films like Punnami Naagu (1980), for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Acting, and A. Kodandarami Reddy's Nyayam Kavali (1981), his performances were noticed by the critics. The audiences too developed a liking for his "ease in dance movements and swashbuckling fights."[6] For his role in Mondi Ghatam (1982), his unique style of acting was much appreciated by the critics. Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya (1982), directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, not only strengthened his position as a big star but also brought him lot of laurels.[5] By 1982, he had appeared in almost 50 films. Within two years of his entry into the film industry, he married Surekha, daughter of well-known comedian Allu Rama Lingaiah.
Breakthrough to stardom (1983–2007)
Khaidi (1983) brought immediate stardom to Chiranjeevi. Directed by Kodandarami Reddy, this film was based on the Sylvester Stallone-starrer First Blood (1982). Khaidi was a box-office success and gave Chiranjeevi an action hero's image.[5] The duo of Reddy and Chiranjeevi worked together for 23 films, most of which were huge box office blockbusters. He was not happy doing only action films and hence he attempted a variety of roles and showed his acting skills in comedies too. After Khaidi, he successively delivered hits like Pasivadi Pranam(1987), Yamudiki Mogudu (1988), where he appeared in a dual role, and Manchi Donga (1988).
His film, Rudraveena (1988), not only won the National Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration but also helped him win his second Nandi Award. Music director Illayaraja and singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam won Nandi Awards for the same film. In 1990, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Kondaveeti Donga and Raja Vikramarka were his box-office successes. Gang Leader (1991) was a massive hit and critics even called him as the "boss of Telugu cinema".[8]. Owing to his ability to his box-office appeal, popular entertainment magazine,Filmfare, called him as "Bigger than Bachchan", a reference to Bollywood’s Amitabh Bachchan.[9] News magazine The Week hailed him as "the new money machine".[10]
He acted in Hindi films too. His performances were appreciated in Prathibandh (1990), Aaj Ka Goonda Raj (1992) and The Gentleman (1994).
In 1999, Chiranjeevi was to appear in a Hollywood production directed by Suresh Krishna in Telugu. The movie, which was titled Return of the Thief of Baghdad, had its filming suspended for unknown reasons.[11]
For Muta Mesthri (1993) and Sneham Kosam (1999), he won Filmfare Awards. For his performance in Indra (2003), he won the Filmfare Award and the Nandi Award. These accomplishments established him as a leading actor of Telugu cinema. His last film in a leading role was in Shankar Dada Zindabad (2007).Chiranjeevi recently announced his return to the film screen in 2011.The movie title under consideration is"Adhinayakudu".Chiranjeevi was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award. In 2006, he was presented with an honorary doctorate degree from Andhra University.[3]
His brothers are Naga babu and Pawan Kalyan.
Political career
In 2008, Chiranjeevi started Praja Rajyam, a political party in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Around 10 lakh people attended the launch of the party in Tirupati. At the launch, he stated that social justice was the main agenda of his party.[12] His party in the 2009 general elections won 18 seats in the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly. He was elected a Member of the State Assembly from Tirupati.[13]
His party recently stood for United Andhra Pradesh and opposed a separate state of Telangana.
Awards
Padma Bhushan - Govt of India - 2006
Honorary Doctorate - Andhra University
Nandi Award for Best Actor - Swayam Krushi
Nandi Award for Best Actor - Rudraveena (film)
Nandi Award for Best Actor - Aapathbandavudu
Nandi Award for Best Actor - Indra (film)
Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu) - 7 times
Filmfare legendary honour Award - 2006
Philanthropy
On October 2, 1998, he founded the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust (CCT), which includes Chiranjeevi Blood and Eye Banks. It is the state's largest recipient of Blood and Eye Donations. The Blood Bank of the CCT helped over 80,000 people and the Eye Bank has helped about 1000 people in the state of Andhra Pradesh since its opening. So far around 3.5 lakh people have pledged their eyes to CCT so far, giving 1600 people eye sight through CCT. CCT has also won the "Best Voluntary Blood Bank Award" by the AP State Government for the past 4 years.
On June 10, 2006, The President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam, inaugurated the Chiranjeevi Charitable Foundation (CCF) at the Jubilee Hills Check post in Hyderabad.
Chiranjeevi charitable trust has reached one more landmark by crossing the one lakh mark in collecting the blood and more than 96,000 people were helped with blood by this blood bank.
After unsupported allegation made on the Blood Bank and Eye Bank by his political rivals, the state government of AP had constituted a high-level committee to look into the allegations. The committee worked under the guidance of the project director of AP State AIDA Control Society, comprising experts from finance and technical fields, verified records pertaining to the collection and disposal of blood samples, blood grouping, screening, sterilisation, bio-medical waste disposal, camps conducted, blood expiry, quality control, store room, record room and purchase of equipment. Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust got a clean chit from all allegations. Mr Danam Nagender, minister for health and family welfare, speaking after the committee's report, said, “After thorough verification of the records, it’s concluded that there are no evidences of misappropriation, deviations from guidelines issued on collection of blood and screening charges, there are no procedural lapses noticed and all transactions are well within the guidelines of the Naco/Apsacs.”
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