| Chiranjeevi |
|
| Born |
Konidela Siva Shankara Vara Prasad
August 22, 1955 (1955-08-22) (age 53)
Narsapur, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
India |
| Other name(s) |
Annayya, Mega Star, Chiru |
| Occupation |
Actor, Politician |
| Years active |
1977 to present |
| Spouse(s) |
Surekha |
|
|
Chiranjeevi (Telugu: చిరంజీవి), born as Konidela Siva Shankara Vara Prasad[1] on August 22, 1955, also known as Mega Star is a three-time Nandi Award winning and seven-time Filmfare Award winning actor in the Telugu cinema industry. He is also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan Award bestowed by the Government of India for his contribution to arts and for his social service. He announced his formal entry into politics on 26th August 2008 and founded a political party named Praja Rajyam.[2].
Early life
Vara Prasad is the eldest son of Late Sri Venkat Rao and Srimathi Anjana Devi. He was born on 22 August 1955 in Narsapur,a town on the Banks of River Godavari in the West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh in India. He spent his childhood in his native village with his grand parents.He has two sisters and two brothers.His younger brother, Nagendra Babu is a film producer and a actor.His youngest brother, Pawan Kalyan is also a actor. Chiranjeevi did his schooling in Nidadavolu, Gurajala, Ponnuru, Mangalagiri and Mogalturu. He won many prizes for his acting skills in school, especially for the performance as Parandamayya Panthulu. After high school he studied in C.S.R.Sharma Junior College at Ongole. He then graduated from Y.N. College in Narasapur with a B.Com degree.[3] He is an NCC cadet.Chiranjeevi had participated in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi as an NCC cadet in the early 70s. [4] After his graduation at Y.N. College in Narsapuram, Chiranjeevi moved to Chennai to seek a career in acting. This was in 1977.
Career
Chiranjeevi was called by different names at different stages in his life. At high school level, he was called 'KSSV Prasad'. During his college days, he was called 'Prasad'. At home, he was called ‘Shankara Babu’.He is also a great devotee of Lord Hanuman. One night, he had a dream in which Lord Hanuman called him "Chiranjeevi". The next day he narrated the same incident to his mother and then she advised him to change his name to Chiranjeevi and hence he became Chiranjeevi.[5]
Early career
After completing his "Diploma in Acting" in Chennai, Chiranjeevi got an offer to act in ‘Punadi Rallu’in 1978.Producer-Director T.Kranti Kumar, who had seen his photograph gave him a role in the film, ‘Pranam Khareedu’ which was released before Punadi Rallu.Subsequently, director Bapu signed him for ‘Manavoori Pandavulu’, where he first gained some recognition. In the beginning of his career, Chiranjeevi donned villain roles in films like Kukka Kaatuki Cheppu Debba, Kotthapeta Rowdi etc. He became an instant hit for his dance movements and risky stunts. His success started after his acclaimed role in 'Initilo Ramayya Vidhilo Krishnayya' (1981). Between 1978 and 1983 October (till the release of Khaidi) he had acted in about 60 movies, mostly in secondary roles, some as a second hero, some as a villain and some as a character artist.[6]
Khaidi, directed by A.Kodandarami Reddy and produced by Thirupathi Reddy of Samyuktha movies, was the first film to catapult Chiranjeevi into the big league. The movie was heavily inspired by Hollywood blockbuster First Blood.[7] He dominated the two and a half hour drama which in the end changed the very face of heroism in the Telugu motion picture industry. This film marked the beginning of his long and successful collaboration with director Kodanda Rami Reddy. Even today, Chiranjeevi singles out this film in his entire career saying that it satisfied him in everyway.[8]
The film Pasivadi Pranam, released in 1987, gave Chiranjeevi super stardom. He introduced "break dance", a new style of dance form to the Telugu audience. This movie was his first silver jubilee hit.In the same year he acted in Swayamkrushi in the direction of K. Viswanath and won Nandi Award for his performance.[9]" From then onwards Chiranjeevi was called "Supreme Hero" by his fans.
This was a glorius period in his career with movies like Adavi Donga, Donga Mogudu, Yamudiki Mogudu, Aaradhana, Rudraveena, Challenge, Vijetha, and Kondaveeti Donga all of which went on to become blockbusters in the Telugu film industry.
Further progress
The title "Megastar" was used for the first time while publicizing K. S. Rama Rao’s movie Marana Mrudangam which released in August 1988. In the same year was released Rudraveena directed by K.Balachander, which bagged the "Nargis Dutt" award.
The first half of 90’s decade was the peak of MEGA STAR Chiranjeevi’s career graph as each and every movie he acted become huge box-office hits like Gang Leader, Rowdy Alludu, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari and Gharana Mogudu to name a few. After the success of so many movies his fans lapped up the title of Megastar which is used even to this day.
Due to the phenomenal success of his movies in the early 90's, expectations about his movies' box-office runs were very high. Chiranjeevi took a break after Rickshavodu to emerged with more mature and versatile acting in the film Hitler.
Indra was released in 2002 in more than 200 theatres in Andhra Pradesh. The movie opened to packed theatres and went on to become one of the biggest hits of Chiranjeevi's careercitation needed. It truly reinvented the star in him and rejuvenated all his fan clubs.
Personal life
Chiranjeevi tied the wedding knot to Surekha, daughter of eminent yesteryear comedian Allu Rama Lingaiah, on February 20, 1980. He has 3 children, eldest daughter Sushmita, son Ram Charan Teja and youngest daughter Srija.
Political Life
Chiranjeevi's foray into politics was highly anticipated in the media and political circles since 2007.[10][11] While it was reported that he was seeking opinion of people during the latter half of 2007, the media also suggested that he would announce the decision in January 2008.[10] Even before the party's launch, several political leaders from the Andhra Pradesh such as Harirama Jogaiah from Congress Party and K. Vidyadhar Rao and B. Nagi Reddy from the Telugu Desam Party[12] openly declared that they would join hands with Chiranjeevi.
Chiranjeevi inaugurated his party office in Jubilee Hills,Hyderabad on August 10, 2008. Speaking to the media after the inauguration, Chiranjeevi said, “I would like to extend my condolences to the families who lost their beloved ones in the incessant rains that occurred in the past 3 three days”. He also added, “ I request all my supporters to extend their help to the people who are in need. I would be announcing my party and its agenda this month. I will be answering all the questions posed by the media on that day."
On August 17, 2008 Chiranjeevi has addressed a press conference in his party office to announce his entry into politics. He told that he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Ambedkar N.T.Rama Rao Garu Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. Chiranjeevi has announced that a public meeting will be conducted in Tirupati on Aug 26, 2008 which falls on Mother Theresa's birthday. He told that the details of his party and future plan will be declared then.
On August 26, 2008 in the public meeting held at Avilala near Tirupati, he announced the party name as Praja Rajyam saying the Rajyam (Rule) belongs to Praja (People). He said his ambition is to empower people to rule themselves. He said he wishes to see “Santhoshandhra pradesh”, which means "Happy Andhra Pradesh". He unveiled the party flag in this meeting, which comes White and Green colours in it with a symbol of red coloured Sun in the middle.
The new political entrant in Andhra Pradesh Chiranjeevi has decided to show his strength to his political rivals. He will set the rath rolling for his maiden political yatra from the north coastal Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh on October 10. [1]
Awards and Honours
In January 2006, Chiranjeevi received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India because of his contributions to the Telugu Film Industry and for his social service. It was presented to him by the President of India.
In November 2006, Chiranjeevi also received honorary doctorate by the Andhra University for his services to the Telugu film industry and for his social work.[13]
In August 2007, Chiranjeevi received Filmfare Special Legend Award. It was presented by Amitabh Bachchan.
In 2004 He Won Filmfare for film Shankardada MBBS. In 2002 He Won Nandi Award for Film Indra. HE is the only Actor in Telugu to receive 7 Filmfare Awards in his career.
Filmography
References
External links
|
