Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi | |
|---|---|
| File:Actorchiranjeevi.jpg | |
| Occupation | Actor |
Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad Nagendra, more popularly known as Chiranjeevi (చిరంజీవి), is a popular Indian film actor working in the Telugu film industry (Tollywood). His iconic status within Andhra Pradesh is exemplified by his nickname, Mega Star.
Early years
Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad, was born on August 22, 1955, in Mogalthur, located in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. After graduating with a B.Com degree, he joined an acting school in Madras. He then started off by acting in small roles in movies. His love for movies and the desire to see himself as a hero on the silver screen led him to accept several bitsy roles in many movies ranging from a side actor to a villain who gets bashed by the heroes.
Rise to Stardom and the present
Chiranjeevi's contribution to Telugu cinema would mainly be remembered for his swashbuckling portrayal of the leading man. Combined with his intense portrayals of regular day-to-day man's characters witnessed in such classic films like Subhalekha, Challenge, Intlo Ramaiah Veedhilo Krishnaiah , what chiru ( as he is fondly called by his millions of fans ) brought to the then staid arts of film dancing and film stunts was something revolutionary. Here was a hero who could perform intricate dance movements with a grace not seen before on the Indian screen. The first significant milestone happened with the pathbreaking movie Khaidi. That film made him a big star and earned him fans ranging from the sixes to the sixties. Following that achievement, he went on to cement his position in the tinsel world acting in many commercial potboiliers, movies that would showcase not just his dancing and daredevilry but his versatility in acting. This was also the time he became the numero uno of Telugu cinema. Along side this meteoric rise to superstardom, Chiranjeevi dabbled in a kind of artistic cinema that has since been absent from his portfolio. Movies like Rudraveena, Swayamkrushi, Apathbandhavudu - stand out as a testimony to his acting skills. And then the big blockbuster Gharana mogudu happened. This movie firmly established Chiranjeevi's position as one of the superstars of the country alongside such greats as Amitabh Bachchan. India Today, a leading national weekly conferred this envious position by declaring him Bigger than Bachan - a sobriquet more as a hats off to the 1+ crore (10 million Indian rupees or 200,000 USD approximately) remuneration that Chiranjeevi received for that movie - more than any other actor in the country. Apart from the unique definition he bestowed on a leading man, he expanded the range of Telugu film box office like none before him.
Charity
In 1998, he founded the Chiranjeevi Mega Charitable Trust, which is to date the state's largest recipient of eye and blood donations. This trust has helped more than 20,000 people to donate blood,and more than 10 lakh (one million) people to pledge their eyes. He has raised social awareness through the Chiranjeevi Blood and Eye Banks, the latter formed in consultation with Late Dr. P. Siva Reddy.
Chiranjeevi has been known to assist the unprivileged with their medical expenses. He has also won the highest tax payer's award many a time.
The President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam, recently inaugurated the Chiranjeevi Charitable Foundation (CCF) at the Jubilee Hills Check post in Hyderabad. He also released the first vision document of the foundation. During this event, Chiranjeevi retrospected about a movie, Rudraveena in which the Prime Minister of the nation visits a village to appreciate the social service of a very ordinary civilian (Suryanarayana Murthy played by Chiranjeevi). He said that he could not believe that it came true in his life with the President of India accepting his invitation for his gracious presence and for inaugurating the CCF.
Family
Chiranjeevi's parents are Konidela Venkat Rao (a former excise superintendent who worked at Nellore), and Anjana Devi. He has two brothers, Nagendra Babu (a film producer) and Pawan Kalyan (an actor), and two sisters, Vijaya Durga and Madhavi.
He married Surekha (daughter of veteran Tollywood actor Allu Ramalingaiah) on February 20, 1980, and has two daughters (Susmita and Sirija), and one son (Ramcharan Teja). He now lives in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.
Awards and recognitions
He has won several awards including four Nandi Awards (given by the Government of Andhra Pradesh annually) and seven Filmfare Awards (popular awards given by Filmfare magazine). In January 2006, Chiranjeevi was conferred the Padma Bhushan (the country's third highest civilian honour).
- Padma Bhushan - third highest civilian award in India
- Nandi Award for Best Actor in the movie Swayam Krushi
- Nandi Award for Best Actor in the movie Apadbhandavudu
- Nandi Award for Best Actor in the movie Rudraveena
- Nandi Award for Best Actor in the movie Indra
- Seven time FilmFare award winner (Best Actor).
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stalin | 2006 | Post-Production | |
| Style | 2006 | Special Appearance | |
| Jai Chiranjeeva | 2005 | Satyanarayana Murthy | |
| Andarivadu | 2005 | Govindarajulu/Siddharth | |
| Shankar Dada MBBS | 2004 | Shankar Prasad | Filmfarefor Best Actor Award: Winner, Santhosham Best Actor Award: Winner |
| Anji | 2004 | Anji | Took 7 years to make this film |
| Tagore | 2003 | Tagore | Filmfare for Best Actor Award: Winner, Santhosham Best Actor Award: Winner |
| Indra | 2002 | Indra Sena Reddy | Nandi Award for Best Actor: Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Actor: Winner, CineMAA Award for Best Actor: Winner, Santharam Memorial Award for Best Actor: Winner |
| Daddy | 2001 | Raj Kumar | |
| Manjunatha | 2001 | Manjunatha Swamy/Lord Shiva | |
| Mrigaraju | 2001 | Raju | Playback singer |
| Annayya | 2000 | Rajaram | |
| HandsUp | 2000 | - | Guest role |
| Iddaru Mitrulu | 1999 | Vijay | |
| Sneham Kosam | 1999 | Simhadri/Chinnayya | Filmfare Award for Best Actor: Winner |
| Choodalani Vundi | 1998 | Ramakrishna | |
| Bavagaru Bagunnara? | 1998 | Raju | Playback singer |
| Master | 1997 | Raj Kumar | Screen - Videocon Award for Best Actor: Winner |
| Hitler | 1997 | Madhava Rao | Screen - Videocon Award for Best Actor: Winner |
| Rikshavodu | 1995 | Raju | |
| Big Boss | 1995 | Surendra | |
| Alluda Majaka | 1995 | Sitaramudu/Mr.Toyota | |
| The Gentleman | 1994 | Vijay | |
| S.P.Parshuram | 1994 | Parshuram | |
| Mugguru Monagallu | 1994 | Prithvi/Vikram/Dattatreya | Triple Role film |
| Mechanic Alludu | 1993 | Ravi | |
| Muta Mesthri | 1993 | Subhash Chandra Bose | Filmfare Award for Best Actor: Winner |
| Aapathbandavudu | 1992 | Madhava | Nandi Award for Best Actor: Winner |
| Aaj Ka Goonda Raj | 1992 | Raja | |
| Gharana Mogudu | 1992 | Raju | |
| Rowdy Alludu | 1991 | Johnny/Kalyan | |
| Gang Leader | 1991 | Rajaram | |
| Stuvertpuram Police Station | 1991 | Rana Prathap | |
| Raja Vikramarka | 1990 | Raja Vikramarka | |
| Prathibandh | 1990 | Siddhanth | |
| Kodama Simham | 1990 | Bharath | |
| Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari | 1990 | Raju | |
| Kondaveeti Donga | 1990 | Raja | |
| Lankeshwarudu | 1989 | ||
| Rudranetra | 1989 | Nethra | |
| State Rowdy | 1989 | ||
| Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu | 1989 | Kalyan | |
| Yudda Bhoomi | 1988 | ||
| Trinetrudu | 1988 | Abhimanyu | |
| Marana Mrudangam | 1988 | Janrdhan/Johnny | |
| Khaidi No.786 | 1988 | Gopi | |
| Yamudiki Mogudu | 1988 | Kali/Balu | |
| Rudraveena | 1988 | Suryanarayana sarma | Filmfare Award for Best Actor: Winner, Nargis Dutt National Award for Best Film: Winner |
| Manchi Donga | 1988 | ||
| Jebu Donga | 1987 | ||
| Swayam Krushi | 1987 | Sambaiah | Nandi Award for Best Actor: Winner |
| Pasivadi Pranam | 1987 | Madhu | |
| Chakravarthy | 1987 | ||
| Aradhana | 1987 | ||
| Donga Mogudu | 1987 | Ravi Teja/Nagaraju | |
| Chanakya Shapadham | 1986 | Chanakya | |
| Dairyavanthudu | 1986 | ||
| Rakshasudu | 1986 | ||
| Chantabbai | 1986 | Pandu Ranga Rao | |
| Veta | 1986 | ||
| Magadheerudu | 1986 | ||
| Kondaveeti Raja | 1986 | ||
| Keerathakudu | 1986 | Charan | |
| Vijetha | 1985 | Chinnababu | |
| Adavi Donga | 1985 | Kalidas | |
| Raktha Sindhuram | 1985 | Gandra Goddali & Inspector Gopi | |
| Puli | 1985 | Kranthi | |
| Jwala | 1985 | Raju | |
| Chiranjeevi | 1985 | Chiranjeevi | |
| Donga | 1985 | ||
| Chattam Tho Poratam | 1985 | Ravi Shankar | |
| Rustum | 1984 | Gopi | |
| Agnigundam | 1984 | Vijay | |
| Naagu | 1984 | ||
| Intiguttu | 1984 | Vijay | Filmfare Award for Best Actor: Winner |
| Challenge | 1984 | Gandhi | |
| Mahanagaramlo Mayagadu | 1984 | ||
| Devanthakudu | 1984 | ||
| Hero | 1984 | ||
| Goonda | 1984 | Kalidas/Raja | |
| Allulu Vasthunnaru | 1984 | ||
| Sangarshana | 1983 | ||
| Mantri Gari Viyankudu | 1983 | Babji | |
| Khaidi | 1983 | Sooryam | |
| Simhapoori Simham | 1983 | ||
| Maa Inti Premayanam | 1983 | ||
| Roshagadu | 1983 | ||
| Magamaha Raju | 1983 | Kala Sagar Award for Best Actor: Winner | |
| Gudachari No.1 | 1983 | Vijay | |
| Puli Bebbuli | 1983 | ||
| Shivudu Shivudu Shivudu | 1983 | ||
| Aalyashikaram | 1983 | ||
| Abhilasha | 1983 | Chiranjeevi | |
| Pelletoori Monagadu | 1983 | ||
| Prema Pichollu | 1983 | ||
| Bandhalu Anubandhalu | 1982 | ||
| Manchupallaki | 1982 | ||
| Mondigatam | 1982 | ||
| Yamakinakarudu | 1982 | Vijay | |
| Billa Ranga | 1982 | Billa | |
| Patnam Vachina Prativrathalu | 1982 | Gopi | |
| Tingu Rangadu | 1982 | ||
| Radha My Darling | 1982 | ||
| Sitadevi | 1982 | ||
| Idi Pellantara | 1982 | ||
| Subhalekha | 1982 | Narasimha Murthi | Filmfare Award for Best Actor: Winner |
| Bandipotu Simham | 1982 | ||
| Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya | 1982 | Rajasekharam | |
| Kirayi Rowdylu | 1981 | ||
| Chettaniki Kallu Levu | 1981 | Vijay | |
| Priya | 1981 | ||
| Srirasthu Subhamasthu | 1981 | ||
| 47 Rojulu | 1981 | ||
| Rani Kasula Rangamma | 1981 | ||
| Ooriki Ichina Maata | 1981 | ||
| Nayam Kavali | 1981 | Suresh kumar | |
| Prema Natakam | 1981 | Guest Appearance | |
| Tirugu Leni Manishi | 1981 | ||
| Todu Dongalu | 1981 | ||
| Paravathi Parameshwarulu | 1981 | ||
| Adavaalu Meeku Joharulu | 1981 | ||
| Rakta Sambandham | 1980 | ||
| Mogudu Kavali | 1980 | ||
| Prema Tarangalu | 1980 | ||
| Love in Singapore | 1980 | Suresh | |
| Thathayya Premaleelalu | 1980 | ||
| Kaali | 1980 | ||
| Nakili Manishi | 1980 | Prasad / Shyam | |
| Punnami Naagu | 1980 | Naagulu | |
| Mosagadu | 1980 | ||
| Jathara | 1980 | ||
| Aarani Mantalu | 1980 | ||
| Chandipriya | 1980 | ||
| Kottapeta Rowdy | 1980 | Guest Appearance | |
| Agni Samskaram | 1980 | ||
| Kothala Raayudu | 1979 | ||
| Sri Rambantu | 1979 | ||
| Idi Katha Kaadu | 1979 | ||
| Poonadi Rallu | 1979 | ||
| I Love You | 1979 | Ramesh | |
| Kotta Alludu | 1979 | ||
| Kukka Katuku Cheppu Debba | 1979 | ||
| Tayaramma Bangarayya | 1979 | ||
| Manavoori Pandavulu | 1978 | Parthu | |
| Pranam Kareedu | 1978 | Narasimha |