Chiranjeevi
He is popularly known as '"Megastar" in the media.[5] Chiranjeevi was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award. In 2006, he was presented with an honorary doctorate from Andhra University.[6] Apart from his film career, he is also a philanthropist and the founder of Chiranjeevi Charitable Foundation, established by him in 1998.
Chiranjeevi also produced Rudraveena (1988), for which he won the National Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.[7] He has won nine Filmfare Awards South, the most by any Telugu actor.
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 Tirupati constituency. He led the Praja Rajyam Party to emerge as the third largest party in the same election. Popularly known as Megastar in the media,[8] 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.[9]
Early life and family
Chiranjeevi was born on 22 August 1955[2] as Siva Shankara Varaprasad to Konidela Anjana Devi[10] and Konidela Venkat Rao[11] in Mogalthur, a small village near Narsapur.[10] He was quite interested in acting at a very young age. After completion of his high school, he did his Intermediate in C.S.R. Sarma College at Ongole.[12] After graduating with a degree in commerce, Chiranjeevi moved to Chennai and joined the Madras Film Institute in 1976 to seek a career in acting.[13] Since his family worshipped the Anjaneya, a Hindu God, his mother advised him to get the screen name of "Chiranjeevi".[14]Chiranjeevi married Surekha, the daughter of veteran comedian Allu Rama Lingaiah on 20 February 1980.[15] They have two daughters; Sushmita, Sreeja and a son, Ram Charan Teja, who is also an actor in Tollywood.[15] His brother Nagendra Babu is a film producer and also has acted in several films, while his youngest brother Pawan Kalyan is an actor in Tollywood.[15] Allu Aravind, a film producer is his brother-in-law[16] and Allu Arjun, son of Allu Aravind is an actor in Telugu cinema.
Acting career
Early career: 1978-1981
Upon completion of his film training, he started his acting career with Punadhirallu,[3] however Pranam Khareedu (1978) released at the box office earlier.[17] 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.[13] He played a small role in Tayaramma-Bangarayya and anti-hero in films like I Love You and K. Balachander's Idi Katha Kaadu which brought his acting talents to the fore.[13] Starring Kamal Haasan, Idi Katha Kaadu, a remake of the Tamil film Avargal, he enacted the role which was played by Rajinikanth in the original. 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.[18] He played the role of a Snake charmer in Punnami Naagu (1980), for which he won critical acclaim [19] He then played characters with negative shades in films like Mosagadu, Rani Kasula Rangamma and the Tamil-Telugu bilingual47 Natkal, directed by K. Balachander.[20] A. Kodandarami Reddy's Nyayam Kavali (1981) saw him playing an anti-hero once again and his performance were noticed by the critics. In 1981, he appeared as a villain in Ranuva Veeran opposite Rajinikanth, which further elevated his status as an anti-hero. The audiences too developed a liking for his "ease in dance movements and swashbuckling fights."[17] He was mostly cast in supporting roles and in antagonistic characters during this period.Breakthrough as hero: 1982-1987
Chiranjeevi began to appear in lead roles with films like Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya[15] and Abhilasha.[21] 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.[14] In 1982, he acted in Subhalekha under the direction of K. Viswanath, for which he received a Filmfare Award.[15] Khaidi directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy released in 1983. This film was based on the Sylvester Stallone-starrer First Blood (1982).[15] Khaidi was a box-office success and gave Chiranjeevi an action hero's image.[14] It became a major blockbuster and a turning point in Chiranjeevi's career.[15] Over the next three years, Chiranjeevi gradually occupied the top slot which he held until he acted. The films that followed Khaidi gave him the image of an action hero. By the end of 1983, he had acted in about 60 movies, mostly in supporting roles, some as villain and some as character roles.[15]Chiranjeevi continued to enjoy commercial success in the following years with Manthri Gari Viyyankudu, Sangharshana, Goonda, Challenge, Hero, Donga, Jwala, Adavi Donga, Kondaveeti Raja, Rakshasudu and Donga Mogudu.[2] In 1985 He was wonderful performance acted in Vijetha film and he received 3rd Filmfare Award .[22] In 1987 the film Pasivadi Pranam released and gave Chiranjeevi a super stardom. Variety of dances were introduced. Chiranjeevi created sensation with his steps which is known as “Break Dance”. Chiranjeevi received his first Nandi Award for Best Actor for Swayam Krushi(1987) directed by K. Viswanath. An Unusual film from Chiranjeevi, during his early days of stardom and with an image as action hero. This film’s box office success also proved Chiranjeevi's transformation of image from an action hero to acting hero.[23]
Commercial success: 1988-1999
Chiranjeevi worked for 23 films, most of which were box office hits. He also attempted a variety of roles which showed his acting skills. After Khaidi, he had 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[7] but also made him win his second Nandi Award & 4th Filmfare Award Music director Illayaraja and singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam won National Film Awards for the same film.
Chiranjeevi paired with Sridevi in Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari that revolutionized socio-fantasy movies in Tollywood. Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao and produced by Ashwini Dutt, the movie was a big hit and is considered to be one of the best movies of Chiranjeevi. Other films like Kondaveeti Donga and Raja Vikramarka were also box-office successes. Gang Leader (1991) was a massive hit and critics even called him as the "boss of Telugu cinema".[24] Gharana Mogudu became the first ever Telugu movie to gross more than
10 crore.He acted in Hindi films too. His performances were appreciated in Prathibandh (1990), which gained him a Filmfare nomination. Aaj Ka Goonda Raj, a remake of his Telugu film and The Gentleman, a Tamil remake also proved to be successful.
Aapathbandhavudu released in 1992, won critical acclaim and Chiranjeevi received his second Nandi Award for Best Actor.[25] The mid 1990s saw a career dip for Chiranjeevi with box-office failures like Mechanic Alludu, S.P.Parshuram, Big Boss and Rikshavodu with the exception of a few films like he acted Muta Mesthri film got an 5th Filmfare Award, Mugguru Monagallu and Alluda Majaka which were moderately successful.[22]
After a brief lull, he came back strongly with a smashing hit Hitler in 1997, which received both critical and commercial acclaim. From then, Chiranjeevi confined himself to acting in only a few selected films. The following years he appeared in commercially successful movies like Master, Bavagaru Bagunnara, Choodalani Vundi, Sneham Kosam film he Received 6th Filmfare Award Trophy and Annayya.
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.[26]
Nearing retirement: 2000s
The 2002 film Indra broke all his previous box office records, and also won him his third Nandi Award for Best Actor and he also received 7th Filmfare Award Trophy.[27][28] After that, he appeared in films which had an underlying message and a social cause like Tagore, Shankar Dada MBBS being he received 8th Filmfare Award trophy and Stalin being notable ones and he won Legendary Honorary Special Jury Award for Filmfare. His last film was Shankar Dada Zindabad before making his political entry.[29]Political career: 2008-present
In 2008, Chiranjeevi started Praja Rajyam, a political party in the state of Andhra Pradesh.[30] At the launch, he stated that social justice was the main agenda of his party.[31] In the 2009 general elections the party won 18 seats in the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly.[32] He was elected a Member of the State Assembly from Tirupati.[33] His party recently stood for a united Andhra Pradesh and opposed separate statehood for Telangana.[34] Meanwhile, two members of Telangana Advocates JAC filed criminal case against Chiranjeevi and 12 other leaders of his party for opposing separation of Telengana.The advocates—A. Srinivas and B. Narasimha Reddy—filed their petition before 17th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court. They said the PR leaders, in their manifesto during 2009 State Assembly elections, extended support to Telangana.[35]
prajarajyam's launch in tirupathi meeting is largest in country's political history with over 30 lakh people attending it .His party won 18 MLA seats wtih 18% vote share.
He stood both in Tirupati and in Palakollu Constituency as MLA in the 2009 general elections, winning in Tirupati but losing in Palakollu.[36][37]
On 6th Feb 2011 Chiranjeevi merged the 30-month-old Praja Rajyam party with Indian National Congress.[32][38] Not all members of the party were expected to follow him, due in particular to his stance against Telangana as a separate state from Andhra Pradesh.
Popularity
Chiranjeevi is considered as the leading actor in Telugu cinema of his time. Veteran director K. Balachander once commented "Chiranjeevi has both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in him. Not only can he do action, he can also act."[39] Other actors like Nagarjuna, Balakrishna and Venkatesh have acknowledged that Chiranjeevi as a leading actor of his era. Owing to his ability to his box-office appeal, popular entertainment magazine, Filmfare, quoted him "Bigger than Bachchan", a reference to Bollywood’s Amitabh Bachchan.[40] News magazine The Week hailed him as "The new money machine".[41]Humanitarian work
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 trust has made over 68,000 blood donations through and 1,414 eye donations.[3][42][43] 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. 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.[44][45] On June 10, 2006, the then President of India, Abdul Kalam, inaugurated the Chiranjeevi Charitable Foundation (CCF) at the Jubilee Hills Check post in Hyderabad.Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust has crossed the one lakh mark in collecting blood and more than 96,000 people have been helped with blood by this blood bank.[46]
After allegations made against the Blood Bank and Eye Bank,[47][48] the state government of AP 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.
Awards and honors
Chiranjeevi is a seven time winner of Filmfare Award for Best Actor[3][7] and a five time winner of Nandi Awards. He also received a Filmfare Best Actor nomination for Prathibandh, his first film in Hindi.[49]Civilain honors
- 2006—Padma Bhushan from Government of India.[7]
National Film Awards
- 1989 — Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration for Rudraveena (Producer)[7][50]
Filmfare Awards
- 1982 — Best Actor for Subhalekha
- 1985 — Best Actor for Vijetha
- 1988 — Best Actor for Rudraveena
- 1993 — Best Actor for Muta Mesthri
- 1999 — Best Actor for Sneham Kosam
- 2002 — Best Actor for Indra
- 2004 — Best Actor for Shankardada MBBS
- 2006 — Filmfare Legendary Honorary Award
- 2010 — Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award[51]
Nandi Awards
- 1987 — Nandi Award for Best Actor for Swayam Krushi[7]
- 1988 — Nandi Award for Best Actor for Rudraveena[17]
- 1992 — Nandi Award for Best Actor for Aapathbandavudu[7]
- 2002 — Nandi Award for Best Actor for Indra[17]
Honorary doctorate
- 2006 — Honorary Doctorate from Andhra University.[7]
Notable filmography
Main article: Chiranjeevi filmography
| Year  | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1978 | Vijay | Debut film | |
| 1979 | Subanakar | | |
| 1980 | Naagulu | Winner, Filmfare Commendation for Special Award | |
| 1980 | Prasad, Shyam | First dual role | |
| 1981 | Kumar | Critically acclaimed for negative role Tamil film | |
| 1982 | Rajasekharam | | |
| 1982 | Narasimha Murthi | Winner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor | |
| 1983 | Chiranjeevi | | |
| 1983 | Sooryam | | |
| 1985 | Chinnababu | Winner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor | |
| 1987 | Sambaiah | Winner, Nandi Award for Best Actor | |
| 1987 | Puli Raja | | |
| 1988 | Suryanarayana Shastri | ||
| 1990 | Raju | | |
| 1990 | Siddhanth | Nominated, Filmfare Best Actor Hindi film | |
| 1991 | Raja | | |
| 1992 | Raju | | |
| 1992 | Madhava | Winner, Nandi Award for Best Actor | |
| 1993 | Subhash Chandra Bose | Winner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor | |
| 1999 | Simhadri, Chinnayya | Winner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor | |
| 2002 | Indrasena Reddy, Shankar Narayana | ||
| 2003 | Tagore | | |
| 2004 | Shankar Prasad | Winner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor | |
| 2006 | Stalin | | |
| 2007 | Shankar Prasad | |
