Early Life and Background
Chiranjeevi, born Konidela Sivasankara Vara Prasad on August 22, 1955, in Mogalthur, Andhra Pradesh, India, is an iconic Indian actor, politician, and philanthropist. He was raised in a middle-class family and later pursued a degree in commerce from Sri Y N College in Narsapur. His passion for acting led him to enroll in the Madras Film Institute.
Film Career
Chiranjeevi made his acting debut in 1978 with the film “Punadhirallu,” but it was “Pranam Khareedu” (1978) that released first and marked his entry into the Telugu film industry. He quickly gained recognition for his dynamic screen presence, dancing skills, and action-packed performances.
His breakthrough came with “Khaidi” (1983), which established him as a superstar. He went on to deliver numerous blockbuster hits, including:
- Pasivadi Pranam (1987)
- Swayamkrushi (1987)
- Rudraveena (1988) (National Award-winning film)
- Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990)
- Gharana Mogudu (1992) (First Telugu film to gross over ₹10 crore)
- Indra (2002)
- Tagore (2003)
- Shankar Dada MBBS (2004)
Chiranjeevi took a break from films in 2007 to focus on politics but made a grand comeback in 2017 with “Khaidi No. 150,” followed by successful films like “Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy” (2019) and “Waltair Veerayya” (2023).
Political Career
In 2008, Chiranjeevi launched his own political party, Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), with a focus on social justice. However, after moderate success in the 2009 Andhra Pradesh elections, PRP merged with the Indian National Congress in 2011. He later served as Union Minister of Tourism (2012–2014).
Philanthropy
His Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust (CCT) has been a major contributor to blood and eye donations, saving thousands of lives.
Awards and Recognition
- Padma Bhushan (2006) – India’s third-highest civilian award
- Filmfare Awards (Multiple wins)
- Nandi Awards (State awards for excellence in Telugu cinema)
- SIIMA, IIFA, and other prestigious honors
Personal Life
Chiranjeevi is married to Surekha Konidela, and they have three children: Ram Charan (popular actor), Sushmitha, and Sreeja. His family has deep ties to the Telugu film industry, with his brothers Nagendra Babu and Pawan Kalyan also being renowned figures.
Legacy
Chiranjeevi remains one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema. His contributions to Telugu films, politics, and philanthropy have cemented his place as a legendary icon.
