Born Konidala Shiva Shankara Vara Prasad
August 22, 1955 (1955-08-22) (age 55), Mogalthur, Narsapuram, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India
Occupation Actor, Politician
Years active 1977 to present Spouse Surekha
Children Sushmitha, Ram Charan Teja, Sreeja
Parents Venkata Rao, Anjana Devi
Awards Padma Bhushan, Honorary Doctorate degree from Andhra University
Acting career
Early beginnings (1978–1982)
Siva Shankara Varaprasad was born as the eldest of three sons of Konidela Anjana Devi and Konidela Venkat Rao. Varaprasad was quite interested in acting at a very young age. After graduating with a degree in commerce, Chiranjeevi joined the Madras Film Institute in 1977. Since his family worshipped the Anjaneya, a Hindu God, his mother advised him to get the screen name of Chiranjeevi. Upon completion of his film training, he started his acting career with Punadhirallu (1978), however Pranam Khareedu (1978) released at the box office earlier. Immediately thereafter, he got an opportunity to work in Mana Voori Pandavulu that was directed by Bapu and written by Mullapudi Venkata Ramana. This film, which was based on the feudal system in the Indian society, helped Chiranjeevi to get the recognition. Tayaramma-Bangarayya (1979), I Love You (1979) and director K. Balachander's Idi Katha Kaadu (1979) brought his acting talents to the fore. 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. With his films like Punnami Naagu (1980), for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Acting, and A. Kodandarami Reddy's Nyayam Kavali (1981), his performances were noticed by the critics. The audiences too developed a liking for his "ease in dance movements and swashbuckling fights." 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. By 1982, he had appeared in almost 50 films. Within two years of his entry into the film industry, he married Surekha, daughter of well-known comedian Allu Rama Lingaiah.
Breakthrough to stardom (1983–2007)
Khaidi (1983) brought immediate stardom to Chiranjeevi. Directed by Kodandarami Reddy, this film was based on the Sylvester Stallone-starrer First Blood (1982). Khaidi was a box-office success and gave Chiranjeevi an action hero's image. The duo of Reddy and Chiranjeevi worked together for 23 films, most of which were huge box office blockbusters. He was not happy doing only action films and hence he attempted a variety of roles and showed his acting skills in comedies too. After Khaidi, he successively delivered 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 but also helped him win his second Nandi Award. Music director Illayaraja and singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam won Nandi Awards for the same film. In 1990, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Kondaveeti Donga and Raja Vikramarka were his box-office successes. Gang Leader (1991) was a massive hit and critics even called him as the "boss of Telugu cinema". Owing to his ability to his box-office appeal, popular entertainment magazine, Filmfare, called him as "Bigger than Bachchan", a reference to Bollywood’s Amitabh Bachchan. News magazine The Week hailed him as "the new money machine".
He acted in Hindi films too. His performances were appreciated in Prathibandh (1990), Aaj Ka Goonda Raj (1992) and The Gentleman (1994).
For Muta Mesthri (1993) and Sneham Kosam (1999), he won Filmfare Awards. For his performance in Indra (2003), he won the Filmfare Award and the Nandi Award. These accomplishments established him as a leading actor of Telugu cinema. His last film in a leading role was in Shankar Dada Zindabad (2007). 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.
Political career
Chiranjeevi started his political party "Praja Rajyam" on 26 August 2008 amid huge fanfare at Avilala grounds, Tirupathi. Around Ten lakh people attended the party launch meeting. Chiranjeevi stated that Social justice as the main agenda of his party and he proved it by giving 104 MLA tickets to the backward sections in Andhrapradesh including a poor tribal woman 'Tupakula munemma'. He contested in 2009 general elections and won from Tirupati constituency as MLA in Andhra Pradesh. But the party got a major drubbing and could not make any major wins. Chiranjeevi himself contested from two different constituencies(Palakollu and Tirupati (city))in 2009 elections and lost in Palakollu. Praja rajyam got 18 MLA seats in the 2009 general elections. On December 10, 2009, Chiranjeevi changed his stand on telangana issue and stated that he wishes to see United AP forever. In May,2010, he conducted a mass educative rally in the coastal districts of AP for attaining national status for the prestigious 'Polavaram project'.
Philanthropy
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 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.
So far 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.
On June 10, 2006, The President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam, inaugurated the Chiranjeevi Charitable Foundation (CCF) at the Jubilee Hills Check post in Hyderabad.
Recently chiranjeevi charitable trust has reached one more landmark by crossing the one lakh mark in collecting the blood and more than 96,000 people were helped with blood by this blood bank.
Filmography
1978
Punaadi Rallu - Parthu - Directed by Rajkumar
Praanam khareedu - Directed by K. Vasu
Manavoori Pandavulu - Directed by Bapu
1979
Tayaramma Bangarayya
Kukka Katuku Cheppu Debba
Kotta Alludu - (villain)
I Love You - Ramesh - Directed by Vayu Nandana Rao
Idi Katha Kaadu - Subanakar Directed by K. Balachander
Sri Rambantu
Kothala Raayudu
1980
Agni Samskaram
Kottapeta Rowdy - Guest
Chandipriya
Aarani Mantalu
Jathara
Mosagadu - Villain - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
Punnami Naagu - Naagulu Horror film, Critically acclaimed for his role.
Winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)
Nakili Manishi - Prasad and Shyam Dual Role
Kaali - Directed by I. V. Sasi
Thathayya Premaleelalu - Bhargav
Love In Singapore - Suresh
Prema Tarangalu - Kumar - Remake of Muqaddar Ka Sikander
Mogudu Kaavali
Rakta Sambandham
1981
Adavaalu Meeku Joharulu
Paravathi Parameshwarulu
Ranuva Veeran - Tamil film starring Rajnikanth
Todu Dongalu - Kishore
Tirugu Leni Manishi - Kishore - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
Prema Natakam - Guest
Nyayam Kavali - Suresh Kumar - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Ooriki Ichina Maata
Rani Kasula Rangamma
47 Rojulu - Kumar - Directed by K. Balachander Critically acclaimed for Negative Role.
47 Natkal - Tamil version of 47 Rojulu
Srirasthu Subhamasthu
Priya
Chattaniki Kallu Levu - Vijay - Directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar
Kirayi Rowdylu
1982
Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya - Rajasekharam - Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna
Bandipotu Simham
Subhalekha - Narasimha Murthi - Directed by K. Viswanath
Winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)
Idi Pellantara
Sitadevi
Radha My Darling
Tingu Rangadu - Rangadu
Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu - Gopi
Billa Ranga
Yamakinkarudu - Vijay
Mondi Ghatam - Ravindra
Manchu Pallaki - Sekhar - Directed by Vamsy
Bandhalu Anubandhalu
1983
Prema Pichollu - Ravi - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Palletoori Monagadu
Abhilasha - Chiranjeevi - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Aalaya Sikharam - Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna
Shivudu Shivudu Shivudu - Shivudu - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Puli Bebbuli - Directed by K. S. R. Das
Gudachari No.1 - Vijay - Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna
Maga Maharaju - Raju - Directed by Vijaya Bapineedu
Roshagadu - Directed by K. S. R. Das
Maa Inti Premayanam - Cameo appearance
Simhapuri Simham - Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna
Khaidi Sooryam - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Manthri Gari Viyyankudu - Babji - Directed by Bapu
Sangharshana
1984
Allulu Vasthunnaru
Goonda - Kalidas/Raja/Ravi - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Hero - Krishna - Directed by Vijaya Bapineedu
Devanthakudu - Vijay Kumar - Directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar
Mahanagaramlo - Mayagadu - Directed by Vijaya Bapineedu
Challenge - Gandhi Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Intiguttu - Vijay Kumar Directed by K. Bapayya
Naagu - Naagu
Agni Gundam - Directed by T. Kranthi Kumar
Rustum
1985
Chattamtho Poratam - Ravishankar
Donga - Phani - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Chiranjeevi - Chiranjeevi
Jwala - Raju
Puli - Kranthi
Raktha Sindhuram - Gopi - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Adavi Donga - Kalidas - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
1986
Kirathakudu - Charan - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Kondaveeti Raja - Raja - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
Magadheerudu - Directed by Vijaya Bapineedu
Veta - Ranapratap Kumar Varma Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Chantabbai - Panduranga Rao Directed by Jandhyala
Rakshasudu - Pursha Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Dhairyavanthudu - Kishore
Chanakya Shapadham - Chanakya Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
Vijetha
1987
Donga Mogudu - Ravi - Teja/Nagaraju Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Aradhana - Puli Raju - Directed by Bharathiraja
Chakravarthy - Chakravarthy
Pasivadi Pranam - Madhu - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Swayam Krushi - Sambaiah - Directed by K. Viswanath Winner: Nandi Award - Best Actor
Jebu Donga - Chitti Babu - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
1988
Manchi Donga - Veerendra - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
Rudraveena - Suryanarayana Sharma - Directed by K. Balachander
Winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)
Yamudiki Mogudu - Kali/Balu - Directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty
Khaidi No.786 - Gopi - Directed by Vijaya Bapineedu
Marana Mrudangam - Janardhan/Johnny - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Trinetrudu - Abhimanyu - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Yudda Bhoomi - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
1989
Athaku Yamudu - Ammayiki Mogudu Kalyan - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
State Rowdy - Kalicharan/Prithvi - Directed by B.Gopal
Rudranetra - Nethra - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
Lankeshwarudu - Shankar Directed by Dasari Narayana Rao
1990
Kondaveeti Donga - Raja - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari - Raju - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
Kodama Simham - Bharath - Directed by K.MuraliMohan Rao
Prathibandh - Siddhanth - Hindi film directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty
Raja Vikramarka - Raja Vikramarka - Directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty
1991
Stuartpuram Police Station - Directed by Yandamuri Veerendranath
Gang Leader Raja - Directed by Vijaya Bapineedu
Rowdy Alludu - Auto Johnny/Kalyan - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
1992
Gharana Mogudu - Raju - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao Outlook quoted him bigger than Bachan
Aaj Ka Goonda Raj - Raja - Hindi version of Gang Leader
Aapathbandavudu - Madhava - Directed by K. Viswanath Winner: Nandi Award - Best Actor
1993
Muta Mesthri - Subhash Chandra Bose - Directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy
Winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)
Mechanic Alludu - Ravi - Directed by A. B.Gopal
1994
Mugguru Monagallu - Prudhvi/Vikram/Dattatreya - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
S.P.Parshuram - Parasuram - Directed by Ravi Raja Pinisetty
The Gentleman - Vijay - Hindi film directed by Mahesh Bhatt
1995
Alluda Majaka - Sitaramudu/Toyota - Directed by E.V.V. Satyanarayana
Big Boss - Surendra - Directed by Vijaya Bapineedu
Rikshavodu - Raju - Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna
1997
Hitler - Madhava Rao - Remake of Malayalam film Hitler which starred Malayalam Megastar Mammootty
Master - RajKumar - Directed by Suresh Krishna Playback singer for the first time
1998
Bavagaru Bagunnara? - Raju - Directed by Jayanth Paranjee
Choodalani Vundi - Ramakrishna - Directed by Gunasekhar
1999
Sneham Kosam - Simhadri/Chinnayya — Dual Role - Directed by K.S. Ravikumar
Winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)
Iddaru Mitrulu - Vijay Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
2000
Annayya - Rajaram - Directed by Mutyala Subbayya
Hands Up - Cameo appearance
2001
Mrigaraju Raju - Directed by Gunasekhar
Daddy Rajkumar - Directed by Suresh Krishna
2002
Manjunatha Manjunatha - Swamy/Lord Siva - Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao
2003
Indra - Indrasena Reddy/Shankar Narayana - Directed by B.Gopal.
Winner: Nandi Award for Best Actor Winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)
Record collection gross in the industry.
Tagore - Tagore - Directed by V.V. Vinayak Record collection gross in the industry.
2004
Anj - Anji - Directed by Kodi Ramakrishna
Shankar Dada MBBS - Shankar Prasad - Directed by Jayanth C. Paranjee
Winner: Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)
2005
Andarivaadu - Govindarajulu/Siddharth - Directed by Srinu Vytla
Style (2006 film)- Guest appearance - Directed by Lawrence Raghavendra
Jai Chiranjeeva - Satyanarayana Murthy - Directed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar
2006
Stalin - Stalin - Directed by A. R. Murugadoss
2007
Shankar Dada Zindabad - Shankar Prasad - Directed by Prabhu Deva
2009
Magadheera - Mega Star - Directed by S. S. Rajamouli
Appearance in the song bangaru kodi petta
Awards
* He has won Seven Filmfare Best Actor Awards (popular awards given by the Magazine Filmfare).
* Nandi Award for Best Actor - Swayam Krishi
* Nandi Award for Best Actor - Apadbhandavudu
* Nandi Award - Rudraveena
* Nandi Award for Best Actor - Indra
* He won the Filmfare Legendary Honour Special Jury Award 2006.
* In January 2006, Chiranjeevi was conferred with the Padma Bhushan by the overnment of India.
Popularity
Chiranjeevi introduced breakdancing to the Indian audience. In an era when fights looked childish to the audience, Chiranjeevi introduced fights in a systematic and stylish way and his dances and fights were a treat to the public. Chiranjeevi was not just a great actor but a pioneer in many ways who set benchmarks for many other actors.
Chiranjeevi was a perfectionist and had no competition during his reign at the top. Once actor Nagarjuna remarked that Chiranjeevi was not only particular about perfection in the scenes which involved him but wanted perfection in scenes which involved others in the movie which is a rarity. According to Venkatesh who himelf is a leading actor he said that Chiranjeevi has been the undisputed number one since 1987 till his retirement and it is difficult to imagine that a actor can consistently deliver hits for over 25 years.
