Sisters Comedy

Heroic looks, daredevil stunts and mesmerizing dance movements, together make Telugu mega star Chiranjeevi, a director’s delight and one of the most adored actors in South India. Fondly called “Chiru”, he is one of the super stars of Telugu film industry (Tollywood). Associated with the industry for the past 30 years, Chiranjeevi has shown his artistic excellence in numerous blockbusters. Apart from being the ultimate hero of Telugu movie-lovers, he is the dream star package for the film producers in Tollywood. Chiranjeevi has recently joined politics and runs a renowned Charitable Trust as well.

Chiranjeevi Childhood & Education

The megastar of Telugu cinema, Chiranjeevi was born on August 22, 1955 in Mogultoor, a small town in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. His father – Late Sri Venkat Rao and mother – Anjana Devi named him Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad. He has two brothers – Nagendra Babu and Kalyan Babu and one sister – Vijaya. Chiranjeevi studied in schools located in Nidadavolu, Gurajala, Ponnuru, Mangalagiri and Mogalturu in Andhra Pradesh. He pursued his intermediate studies at C.S.R. Sharma Junior College (Ongole) & graduated with a B.Com degree from Y.N. College in Narasapur, Andhra Pradesh.

Early Years Of Film Career

After completing education, Chiranjeevi moved to Madras (Chennai) to chase his dream of becoming a star in the film industry. Soon after attaining a diploma in acting, in June 1978, he was offered a small role in the film “Punadi Rallu”, directed by Raj Kumar. Although he acted for the first time in “Punadi Rallu”, Chiru’s first film to be released was “Pranam Kharidu” (1978), a directorial venture of K. Vasu. Thereafter, he was offered a series of small and villainous roles in films, including “Manavoori Pandavulu” (1978). “Adavi Donga”, released in the same year, was another important movie in his career. In 1979, Chiranjeevi had eight releases and by its last quarter, he had started gaining pace in the industry.

Journey Towards Stardom

Chiranjeevi shined as a star during 1980s, with critically acclaimed roles and big hits. His roles in “Punnami Naagu” (1980) and “Nyayam Kavali” (1981) received equal appreciation from the critics as well as the audience. The turning point in the film career of Chiranjeevi came with “Khaidi” (1983), which fetched him immediate stardom. This film marked the beginning of his dominance in Tollywood (Telugu film industry). Directed by A Kodanda Rami Reddy, the film became a super-hit. The director-actor duo proved to be one of the most successful combinations in the industry during that period. Subsequently, they worked together in 23 films, a majority of which proved to be block busters.

Known for his dare-devil stunts, Chiranjeevi met with a number of accidents on the sets. He was injured while shooting for the climax of the film “Sangharshana” (1983). Thereafter, he underwent an operation in London. However, he continued to perform tough and risky stunts in his films. In the film “Intiguttu” (1984), he was injured when he tried fighting using the tube light. ‘Bavagaru Bagunara’ is yet another movie in which Chiranjeevi displayed the carefree attitude of a teenage boy, while performing bungee jumping.

Blockbusters

Chiranjeevi continued to give hits to Tollywood. Some of his blockbusters are “Abhilasha” (1983), “Challenge” (1984), “Pasivadi Pranam” (1987), “Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu” (1989), “Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari” (1990), “Kodama Simham” (1990), “Gang Leader” (1991), “Rowdy Alludu” (1991) and “Gharana Mogudu” (1992). After a phase of low-career, during the mid 1990′s, Chiranjeevi made a comeback in the late 1990′s with another series of blockbusters, including Master (1997), Choodalani Vundi (1998), Bavagaru Bagunnara (1998) and Sneham Kosam (1999). “Indra” (2002) proved to be a mega hit and was one amongst the highest grossing movies of the year.

Praja Rajyam

With an ideology of social democracy, mega star Chiranjeevi entered the political arena and established “Praja Rajyam” party in 2008. The headquarters of his regional party is located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Chiranjeevi appeared in the first public meeting for the party on August 26, 2008. Political leaders who have joined hands with Praja Rajyam include former TDP leaders, Mr C. Ramachandraiah and G. Haribabu Naidu.

Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust (CCT)

Chiranjeevi founded a charitable trust, named Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust, on October 2, 1998. The Trust includes a blood bank and a couple of Eye banks, named after the mega star. It has received lots of blood and eye donations till date. CCT was awarded the “Best Voluntary Blood Bank Award” by the AP State Government, in 2002 and 2003.

Personal Life

On February 20, 1980, Chiranjeevi married Surekha, the daughter of yesteryear’s renowned comedian – Allu Rama Lingaiah. They have two daughters – Sushmita (eldest) and Sreeja (youngest) and a son – Ram Charan Tej. Sushmita is married to the Chennai business man Vishnu Prasad and Sreeja got married to Sirish Bharadwaj, an engineering student from Begumpet.

Awards

* 1982: Filmfare Award for Best Actor (“Subhalekha”)
* 1984: Filmfare Award for Best Actor (“Inti Guttu” )
* 1987: Nandi Award for Best Actor (“Swayamkrushi”)
* 1988: Filmfare Award for Best Actor (“Rudraveena”), Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration (“Rudraveena”)
* 1992: Nandi Award for Best Actor (“Aapathbandhavudu”)
* 1993: Filmfare for Best Actor Award (“Muta Mesthri”)
* 1999: Filmfare Award for Best Actor (“Sneham Kosam”)
* 2002: Nandi Award for Best Actor (“Indra”), Filmfare Award for Best Actor (“Indra”)
* 2003: Tagore Award for Best Actor (“Santosham”)
* 2004: Filmfare Award for Best Actor (“Shankar Dada MBBS “)
* 2006: Padma Bhushan Award
* 2007: Filmfare Special Legend Award

Filmography

1978 – Pranam Khareedu, Manavoori Pandavulu
1979 – Kothala Raayudu, Sri Rambantu, Idikatha Kaadu, Punaadi Rallu, I Love You, Kotta Alludu, Kukka Katuku Cheppu Debba,
Tayaramma Bangarayya
1980 – Rakta Sambandham, Mogudu Kavali, Prema Tarangalu, Love in Singapore, Thathayya Premaleelalu, Kaali, Nakili Manishi, Punnami Naagu, Mosagadu, Jathara, Aarani Mantalu, Chandipriya, Kottapeta Rowdy, Agni Samskaram
1981 – Kirayi Rowdylu, Chattaniki Kallu Levu , Priya, Srirasthu Subhamasthu, 47 Rojulu, Rani Kasula Rangamma, Ooriki Ichina Maata, Nyayam Kavali, Prema Natakam, Tirugu Leni Manishi, Todu Dongalu
1982 – Bandhalu Anubandhalu, Manchu Pallaki, Mondi Ghatam, Yamakinkarudu, Billa Ranga, Patnam Vachina Prativrathalu, Tingu Rangadu, Radha My Darling, Sitadevi, Idi Pellantara, Subhalekha, Bandipotu Simham, Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya
1983 – Sangarshana, Manthri gari Viyyankudu, Khaidi, Simhapoori Simham, Maa Inti Premayanam, Roshagadu, Maga Maharaju, Gudachari No.1, Puli Bebbuli, Shivudu Shivudu Shivudu, Aalyashikaram, Abhilasha, Palletoori Monagadu
1984 – Rustum, Agnigundam, Naagu, Intiguttu, Challenge, Mahanagaramlo Mayagadu, Devanthakudu, Hero, Goonda, Allulu Vasthunnaru
1985 – Vijetha, Adavi Donga, Raktha Sindhuram, Puli, Jwala, Chiranjeevi, Donga, Chattam Tho Poratam
1986 – Chanakya Shapadham, Dairyavanthudu, Rakshasudu, Chantabbai, Veta, Magadheerudu, Kondaveeti Raja, Kirathakudu
1987 – Jebu Donga, Swayamkrushi, Pasivadi Pranam, Chakravarthy, Aradhana, Donga Mogudu
1988 – Yudda Bhoomi, Trinetrudu, Marana Mrudangam, Khaidi No.786, Yamudiki Mogudu, Rudraveena, Manchi Donga
1989 – Lankeshwarudu Shankar, Rudranetra, State Rowdy, Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu
1990 – Raja Vikramarka, Prathibandh, Kodama Simham, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Kondaveeti Donga
1991 – Rowdy Alludu, Gang Leader, Stuartpuram Police Station
1992 – Aapathbandhavudu, Aaj Ka Goonda Raj, Gharana Mogudu
1993 – Mechanic Alludu, Mutaa Mesthri
1994 – The Gentleman, S.P.Parasuram, Mugguru Monagallu
1995 – Rikshavodu, Big Boss, Alluda Majaka
1996 – Hitler
1997 – Master
1998 – Choodalani Vundi, Bavagaru Bagunnara
1999 – Iddaru Mitrulu, Sneham Kosam
2000 – Annayya, Hands Up
2001 – Daddy, Manjunatha, Mrugaraju
2002 – Indra
2003 – Anji, Tagore
2004 – Shankar Dada MBBS
2005 – Andarivadu, Jai Chiranjeeva
2006 – Stalin
2007 – Shankardada Zindabad
2008 – Dheerudu

By: Manoj Kumar Behera

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