Konidela Chiranjeevi | |
|---|---|
_for_Tourism,_Shri_K._Chiranjeevi_is_also_seen_(1)_(cropped).jpg) Chiranjeevi in 2013 | |
| Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism | |
| In office 27 October 2012 – 26 May 2014 | |
| Prime Minister | Manmohan Singh |
| Preceded by | Subodh Kant Sahay |
| Succeeded by | Shripad Yasso Naik |
| Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
| In office 3 April 2012 – 2 April 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Raashid Alvi |
| Succeeded by | Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy |
| Constituency | Andhra Pradesh |
| Member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 2009–2012 | |
| Preceded by | M. Venkataramana |
| Succeeded by | Bhumana Karunakar Reddy |
| Constituency | Tirupati |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Konidela Sivasankara Varaprasad 22 August 1955[1] Mogalthur, Andhra State, India (present-day Andhra Pradesh, India) |
| Political party | Praja Rajyam Party |
| Other political affiliations | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse |
Surekha (m. 1980) |
| Children | 3, including Ram Charan |
| Relatives | See Konidela–Allu family |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
|
| Awards |
|
| Nickname(s) | Mega Star[2] Supreme Hero[3] |
Konidela Chiranjeevi (born Konidela Sivasankara Varaprasad; 22 August 1955) is an Indian actor, politician and philanthropist known for his work in Telugu cinema. Referred to in the media as "Mega Star", he is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential actors in the history of Indian cinema.[4][5] Chiranjeevi holds the record for the most "Industry Hits" in Telugu cinema, with eight films emerging as the top-grossers of their time—a feat unmatched by any actor in the industry's 100-year history.[6] He is also celebrated as one of the finest dancers in Indian cinema.[7] He has received numerous honours, including the Padma Bhushan in 2006 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2024 from the Government of India, as well as the IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award in 2022. His other accolades include the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, three Nandi Awards, and nine Filmfare Awards South, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, CNN-IBN recognized him as one of "the men who changed the face of the Indian Cinema". In 2024, he was honoured with a Guinness World Record as the most prolific actor-dancer in the Indian film industry.[8]
Chiranjeevi made his acting debut in 1978, initially gaining recognition for his supporting, anti-hero, and antagonist roles. He later transitioned to lead roles with notable success. His breakthrough came with the 1983 film Khaidi, which became the highest-grossing Telugu film at the time and established him as a leading actor in the industry. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Chiranjeevi starred in various "Industry Hits"—highest-grossers of all time—like Pasivadi Pranam (1987), Yamudiki Mogudu (1988), Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu (1989), Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990), Gang Leader (1991), and Gharana Mogudu (1992).[6] Notably, Gharana Mogudu was the first South Indian film to earn over ₹10 crore in distributor share,[9] prompting The Week magazine to label him "Bigger than Bachchan" and "the new money machine."[10]
For his role in Aapadbandhavudu (1992), Chiranjeevi was paid ₹1.25 crore, making him the highest-paid actor in India at the time and the first Indian actor to command a ₹1 crore remuneration for a film.[11] During this period, he received widespread critical acclaim for his performances in Swayamkrushi (1987), Rudraveena (1988), and Aapadbandhavudu (1992), showcasing his versatility as an actor who excelled in both commercial blockbusters and critically acclaimed films. Notably, Swayamkrushi was screened at the Moscow International Film Festival, while Rudraveena, which he co-produced, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Chiranjeevi continued to dominate the box office with films like Master (1997), and Choodalani Vundi (1998). His 2002 film Indra was the highest-grossing Telugu film for many years, and socially impactful films like Tagore (2003) and Shankar Dada M.B.B.S. (2004) became major blockbusters, further cementing his legacy.
On 2 October 1998, Chiranjeevi established the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust, which operates the largest blood and eye banks in the Telugu states. The trust has restored eyesight to over 9,000 individuals through cornea transplants and provides 70% of collected blood free to the poor.[12] It has received several accolades, including the "Best Voluntary Blood Bank Award" from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for five consecutive years from 2002 to 2006.[13] In 2002, he was honoured with the Samman Award by the Income Tax Department, for being the highest income tax payer in the profession category for the assessment year 1999–2000.[14]
In 2008, Chiranjeevi founded the Praja Rajyam Party and led it in the 2009 Andhra Pradesh elections, where it won 18 seats and secured over 16% of the vote, making it the third-largest party in the state. The party merged with the Indian National Congress in 2011. Chiranjeevi served as a Rajya Sabha MP from 2012 to 2018 and was appointed Minister of Tourism in the central cabinet of India in October 2012, holding the position until May 2014. After a hiatus from cinema, he returned with the blockbuster hit Khaidi No. 150 (2017), followed by successful films such as Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019) and Waltair Veerayya (2023).
- ^ "Chiranjeevi Biography". Oneindia. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
- ^ "Megastar Chiranjeevi reacts to prestigious Padma Vibhushan honor: Truly Humbled | Etimes - Times of India Videos". The Times of India.
- ^ "Megastar puts on an accent". Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ "Chiranjeevi honoured with Indian Film Personality of the Year Award for 2022 at the 53rd IFFI". The Times of India. 20 November 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential actors of Indian cinema.
- ^ "Chiranjeevi awarded Padma Vibushan". India Today. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
In a career spanning over four decades, Chiranjeevi is regarded as one of the most successful actors in Indian cinema.
- ^ a b S. Hari Prasad (18 April 2024). "Most Industry hits telugu hero: కెరీర్లో ఎక్కువ ఇండస్ట్రీ హిట్స్ అందుకున్న తెలుగు హీరోలు వీళ్లే.. టాప్లో మెగాస్టార్". Hindustan Times (in Telugu). Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Chiranjeevi and Shahid are best dancers: Prabhu Dheva". The Times of India. 10 January 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ Zhan, Echo (18 October 2024). "Chiranjeevi: Prolific megastar who shaped Indian cinema officially a record breaker". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ "28 Years for Gharana Mogudu: 4 fascinating things about the Chiranjeevi starrer". The Times of India. 10 April 2020. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020.
Gharana Mogudu was a commercial success, and it went on to become the first South Indian film to collect over Rs 10 crore share at the box office. Chiranjeevi is probably the first hero in the history of Indian cinema to take Rs 1 crore remuneration for a film.
- ^ "A crore and more: Chiranjeevi, the new money machine of the movie world". The Week. 13 September 1992. pp. 28, 29.
If his popularity is astounding, the price he commands would make heads spin: the megastar has crashed through the one-crore barrier. While Amitabh Bachchan, who had Hindi filmdom at his feet for a decade, is paid Rs. 75 lakh for doing a film, Chiranjeevi gets almost double: a mind-boggling Rs. 1.25 crore. The only one who comes anywhere near the magic mark is Rajnikant, the Tamil superstar, who makes Rs. 1 crore.
- ^
- "A crore and more: Chiranjeevi, the new money machine of the movie world". The Week. 13 September 1992. pp. 28, 29.
If his popularity is astounding, the price he commands would make heads spin: the megastar has crashed through the one-crore barrier. While Amitabh Bachchan, who had Hindi filmdom at his feet for a decade, is paid Rs. 75 lakh for doing a film, Chiranjeevi gets almost double: a mind-boggling Rs. 1.25 crore. The only one who comes anywhere near the magic mark is Rajnikant, the Tamil superstar, who makes Rs. 1 crore.
- Nikam, Girish (31 August 1992). "Southern superstars Chiranjeevi, Rajnikant and Vijayashanti are paid more than Amitabh Bachchan or Sridevi". India Today. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
Tamil actor Rajnikanth commands a staggering Rs 1 crore a film. If that's stupefying, then check out the Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi. His price? Rs 1.25 crore a film. Even Bachchan with his reported price of Rs 75 lakh can't give them a run for their money.
- Mathur, Abhimanyu (26 January 2024). "This south star was first Indian actor to earn Rs 1 crore per film, years before Shah Rukh, Salman, Amitabh, Rajinikanth". DNA India. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
Chiranjeevi had just become the highest-paid actor in India, charging a whopping Rs 1.25 crore for the Telugu film Aapadbandhavudu. This made him the first Indian actor to earn Rs 1 crore or more for a single film. Even Bachchan, the reigning king of box office, was charging under Rs 90 lakh per film at the time.
- "28 Years for Gharana Mogudu: 4 fascinating things about the Chiranjeevi starrer". The Times of India. 10 April 2020. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020.
Gharana Mogudu was a commercial success, and it went on to become the first South Indian film to collect over Rs 10 crore share at the box office. Chiranjeevi is probably the first hero in the history of Indian cinema to take Rs 1crore remuneration for a film.
- "Chiranjeevi, the megastar who beat Big B as India's highest paid actor". Hindustan Times. 29 April 2016. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- "A crore and more: Chiranjeevi, the new money machine of the movie world". The Week. 13 September 1992. pp. 28, 29.
- ^ Sekhar, Vineela (26 January 2024). "Megastar Chiranjeevi honoured with Padma Vibhushan". The Hans India. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust (CCT) was founded on 2nd October 1998, the two major wings being the blood and eye banks. The Chiranjeevi Blood Bank Trust has collected over 9,30,000 units of blood over the years, and 79% of these blood units were given to the poor and oppressed free of cost. The remaining units were given to corporate hospitals at a nominal fee. The trust also collected 4,580 pairs of eyes, and 9,060 blind people benefited through a cornea transplant.
- ^ "Chiranjeevi Blood Bank bags award". IndiaGlitz.com. 2 December 2006. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ "Chiranjeevi at 69: Megastar's turning point, a Rajinikanth connection and other interesting facts". The Economic Times. 22 August 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 22 August 2024.