Friday, June 24, 2011


Chiranjeevi (Telugu: చిరంజీవి) (born Konidala Siva Sankara Vara Prasad on 22 August 1955)[2] is an Indian film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinemaalong with a few Tamil and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu (1977).[3]However, Pranam Khareedu (1978) released at the box office earlier.[4] Subsequently, he played a variety of characters, his film roles along with his screen persona contributed to a change in the concept of a Telugu film lead actor.
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 seven Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Awards, 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 Tirupaticonstituency. 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

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]

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.[15] Immediately thereafter, he got an opportunity to work in Mana Voori Pandavulu that was directed by Bapu and written byMullapudi 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 Kaaduwhich 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.[16] He played the role of a Snake charmer in Punnami Naagu (1980), for which he won critical acclaim [17] He then played characters with negative shades in films like Mosagadu, Rani Kasula Rangamma and the Tamil-Telugu bilingual47 Natkal, directed by K. Balachander.[18] 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."[15] 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[19] and Abhilasha.[20] 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.[19] Khaidi directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy released in 1983. This film was based on the Sylvester Stallone-starrer First Blood (1982).[19] 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.[19] 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.[19]
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 inVijetha film and he received 3rd Filmfare Award .[21] 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.[22]

Commercial success: 1988-1999

The duo of Reddy and Chiranjeevi worked together 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. Pther 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".[23] Gharana Mogudu became the first ever Telugu movie to gross more than Indian Rupee symbol.svg 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.[24] 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.[21]
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 likeMaster, 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.[25]

Political career: 2008-present

In 2008, Chiranjeevi started Praja Rajyam, a political party in the state of Andhra Pradesh.[29] At the launch, he stated that social justice was the main agenda of his party.[30] In the 2009 general elections the party won 18 seats in the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly.[31] He was elected a Member of the State Assembly from Tirupati.[32] His party recently stood for a united Andhra Pradesh and opposed separate statehood for Telangana.[33] 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.[34]
He stood both in Tirupati and in Palakollu Constituency as MLA in the 2009 general elections, winning in Tirupati but losing in Palakollu.[35][36]
On 6th Feb 2011 Chiranjeevi merged the 30-month-old Praja Rajyam party with Indian National Congress.[31][37] 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."[38] Other actors like Nagarjuna, Balakrishna andVenkatesh 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.[39] News magazineThe Week hailed him as "The new money machine".[40]

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.

Notable filmography

Main article: Chiranjeevi filmography
Year↓Film↓Role↓Notes
1978PunadhiralluVijayDebut film
1979Idi Katha KaaduSubanakar
1980Punnami NaaguNaaguluWinner, Filmfare Commendation for Special Award
1980Nakili ManishiPrasad,
Shyam		First dual role
198147 NatkalKumarCritically acclaimed for negative role
Tamil film
1982Intlo Ramayya Veedilo KrishnayyaRajasekharam
1982SubhalekhaNarasimha MurthiWinner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor
1983AbhilashaChiranjeevi
1983KhaidiSooryam
1985VijethaChinnababuWinner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor
1987Swayam KrushiSambaiahWinner, Nandi Award for Best Actor
1987AradhanaPuli Raja
1988RudraveenaSuryanarayana ShastriWinner, Nandi Award for Best Actor (Jury)
, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor
1990Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka SundariRaju
1990PrathibandhSiddhanthNominated, Filmfare Best Actor
Hindi film
1991Gang LeaderRaja
1992Gharana MoguduRaju
1992AapathbandavuduMadhavaWinner, Nandi Award for Best Actor
1993Muta MesthriSubhash Chandra BoseWinner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor
1999Sneham KosamSimhadri,
Chinnayya		Winner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor
2002IndraIndrasena Reddy,
Shankar Narayana		Winner, Nandi Award for Best Actor,
Filmfare Best Telugu Actor
2003TagoreTagore
2004Shankar Dada MBBSShankar PrasadWinner, Filmfare Best Telugu Actor
2006StalinStalin
2007Shankar Dada ZindabadShankar PrasadLast film(Hit)

Civilain honors



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