Chiranjeevi

Konidela Chiranjeevi, born Konidela Sivasankara Varaprasad on August 22, 1955, is an eminent Indian actor, film producer, and former politician renowned for his contributions to Telugu cinema. Widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential figures in Indian cinema’s history, Chiranjeevi’s illustrious career spans over four decades, during which he has starred in more than 150 feature films across various languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada. His remarkable achievements have garnered him numerous accolades, including the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, three Nandi Awards, and nine Filmfare Awards South, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2024, the Government of India conferred upon him the Padma Vibhushan, the nation’s second-highest civilian honor, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the arts. Previously, in 2006, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, for his invaluable services to Indian cinema. Chiranjeevi’s impact on the industry was further acknowledged in 2013 when CNN-IBN named him as one of “the men who changed the face of Indian Cinema.” Chiranjeevi commenced his acting journey in 1978 with “Punadhirallu,” although “Pranam Khareedu” marked his official screen debut due to release schedules. Notably, his performance in the 1987 film “Swayamkrushi” earned him critical acclaim, with the movie even being dubbed into Russian and showcased at the Moscow International Film Festival. His prowess was evident as he clinched several awards for his role, including the Indian Express Best Actor Award and the state Nandi Award for Best Actor. In 1992, Chiranjeevi’s film “Gharana Mogudu” shattered box office records, becoming the first Telugu film to gross over ?10 crore. This landmark achievement elevated him to unprecedented heights of stardom, making him the highest-paid actor in India at the time and earning him comparisons to Amitabh Bachchan. His remuneration for the film “Aapadbandhavudu” set a new benchmark in the industry. Beyond his cinematic endeavors, Chiranjeevi ventured into politics by founding the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008. His subsequent political career saw him serving as the Minister of Tourism with independent charge from October 2012 to May 2014. Additionally, his contributions to cinema were recognized with the IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award at the 53rd IFFI in 2022, further cementing his enduring legacy in Indian cinema.