Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi in 2012
MP of Rajya Sabha for Andhra Pradesh
Assumed office
3 April 2012
Minister of Tourism (Independent Charge)
In office
28 October 2012 – 15 May 2014
Preceded by Subodh Kant Sahay
Succeeded by Shripad Yasso Naik
Member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly for Tirupati
In office
2009–2012
Preceded by M. Venkataramana [1]
Succeeded by M. Venkataramana [2]
Personal details
Born (1955-08-22) 22 August 1955[3]
Mogalthur, West Godavari district, Andhra State, India
(now in Andhra Pradesh, India)
Nationality India
Political party Indian National Congress (2011—present) Praja Rajyam Party
Other political
affiliations		 Praja Rajyam Party (2008—2011)
Spouse(s) Surekha Konidela (m. 1980)
Children Ram Charan
Sushmitha Konidela
Srija Konidela
Relatives
Residence Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India (Permanent)
New Delhi, Delhi, India (Official)
Alma mater
Occupation Film Actor, Politician
Religion Hinduism
Awards Padma Bhushan (2006)

Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad (born 22 August 1955), better known by his stage name Chiranjeevi,[4] is an Indian film actor, dancer, producer, singer, voice artist, politician, businessman, investor and a member of the Indian National Congress. He was the Minister of State with independent charge for the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.[5] Prior to politics, Chiranjeevi has attended the Madras Film Institute, and had worked primarily in Telugu cinema, in addition to Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in 1978, with the film Punadhirallu.[6] However, Pranam Khareedu was released earlier at the box office.[7] Known for his break dancing skills, Chiranjeevi was starred in 149 feature films in a variety of roles. In 1987 he was starred in Swayam Krushi, which was dubbed into Russian, and was screened at the Moscow International Film Festival.[8] In the same year, Chiranjeevi was one of the Indian delegates at the 59th Academy Awards.[9][10] In 1988, he co-produced Rudraveena, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.[11]

Chiranjeevi's 1992 film Gharana Mogudu, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, is the first Telugu film to gross over ₹ 10 crore at the box office, the film was screened at the 1993 International Film Festival of India in the mainstream section.[12] [13] The film made Chiranjeevi the highest paid actor in India at the time, catapulting him to the cover pages of noted national weekly magazines in India.[14] The entertainment magazines Filmfare and India Today named him "Bigger than Bachchan", a reference to Bollywood's Amitabh Bachchan.[15] News magazine The Week hailed him as "The new money machine".[16] He was paid a remuneration of ₹1.25 crores for the 1992 film Aapadbandhavudu.[17] In 2002, Chiranjeevi was given the Samman Award for the Highest Income Tax Payer for the assessment year 1999–2000 by the Minister of State for Finance, Government of India.[18] A poll conducted by CNN-IBN in 2006 named Chiranjeevi the most popular star of the Telugu Film Industry.[19]

In a film career spanning thirty five years, he won four state Nandi Awards and ten Filmfare Awards South including the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South. In 2006, Chiranjeevi was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, for his contributions to Indian cinema,[20] and was presented with an honorary doctorate from Andhra University.[21] In 2013, he inaugurated the Incredible India Exhibition, a joint participation of the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the 66th Cannes Film Festival.[22][23] He also represented Incredible India at the 14th International Indian Film Academy Awards ceremony held in Macau.[24] In 2013, IBN LIVE named him as one of "The men who changed the face of the Indian Cinema".[25] Chiranjeevi's 150th film was announced in May 2015.[26]

Chiranjeevi founded the Chiranjeevi Charitable Foundation, established in 1998, which is involved in humanitarian activities. In 2008, he entered politics by forming the Praja Rajyam Party. In the 2009 Andhra Pradesh elections, Chiranjeevi contested from his native places, Palakollu and Tirupati. He was defeated by the Congress party candidate in Palakollu and was elected as a member of the State Assembly from the Tirupati constituency. He led the Praja Rajyam Party to emerge as the third largest party during the same election. Later, in February 2011, his Praja Rajyam Party merged into the Indian National Congress. He is a co-owner of Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters.

Early life and family

Chiranjeevi was born in Mogalthur, a small village near Narsapur.[27] His father worked as a constable and got transferred on a regular basis. He spent his childhood in his native village with his grand parents. Chiranjeevi did his schooling in Nidadavolu, Gurajala, Bapatla, Ponnuru, Mangalagiri and Mogalturu. He was an NCC cadet. Chiranjeevi had participated in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi as an NCC cadet in the early 70s.[28] He was interested in acting from a very young age. He did his Intermediate at C. S. R. Sarma College in Ongole.[29] After graduating with a degree in commerce from Sri Y N College at Narsapur, Chiranjeevi moved to Chennai and joined the Madras Film Institute in 1976 to pursue a career in acting.[30] Since his family worshipped Anjaneya, a Hindu deity, his mother advised him to take the screen name "Chiranjeevi", meaning "live forever", a reference to belief of Hanuman living forever.[31]

He has two daughters, Sushmita and Srija, and a son, Ram Charan Teja, also an actor in Tollywood.[32] One of Chiranjeevi's brothers, Nagendra Babu, is a film producer and also has acted in several films. His youngest brother, Pawan Kalyan, is an actor in Tollywood too.[32] Allu Aravind, his brother-in-law, is a film producer. Chiranjeevi is the uncle of Allu Arjun.[33]

Acting career

Early career: 1978–1981

Chiranjeevi started his film career with Punadhirallu.[6] However, his first released film was Pranam Khareedu.[34] Mana Voori Pandavulu, directed by Bapu, gave Chiranjeevi recognition from the Indian audience.[30] He played a small role in Tayaramma Bangarayya. He also played the anti-hero in films I Love You and K. Balachander's Idi Katha Kaadu,[30] starring Kamal Haasan. In a remake of the Tamil film Avargal, Chiranjeevi portrayed the character played by Rajinikanth in the original. In 1979, Chiranjeevi had eight major film releases and then 14 films in the following year.[35][36] He played lead antagonist in works such as Mosagadu, Rani Kasula Rangamma, 47 Natkal /47 Rojulu, Nyayam Kavali, and Ranuva Veeran.[37]

Leading roles: 1982

Chiranjeevi began to appear in lead roles with films such as Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, which was a hit at the box office.[38] Later, he starred in Shubhalekha directed by K. Viswanath, which dealt with the social malady of the dowry system. It brought him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu and Viswanath's third Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu.[39][40] He also appeared in movies like Idi Pellantara, Sitadevi, Tingu Rangadu, Bandhalu Anubandhalu and Mondi Ghatam. He acted in multi-star movies like Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu and Billa Ranga. He later acted in Manchu Pallaki, along with Suhasini Maniratnam, which was the debut film for director Vamsy.[41]

1983–2007

Khaidi was a box-office success and Chiranjeevi attained stardom with this movie.[31] In 1984, Chiranjeevi continued doing action films. A series of box office hits at this time include; Mantri Gari Viyyankudu, Sangharshana, Goonda, Challenge, Hero, Donga, Jwala, Adavi Donga, Kondaveeti Raja, Rakshasudu, Gang Leader, Rowdy Alludu, Yamudiki Mogudu and Donga Mogudu.[42] In 1985, he received his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his performance in Vijetha.[43] Chiranjeevi received his first Nandi Award for Best Actor for Swayam Krushi (1987), directed by K. Viswanath.

Post Khaidi, Chiranjeevi had hits such as Pasivadi Pranam (1987), Yamudiki Mogudu (1988) and Manchi Donga (1988). Chiranjeevi co produced, and acted in Rudraveena (1988), which not only won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration,[11] but also the Nandi Special Jury Award. Chiranjeevi then experimented with Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari, a socio-fantasy directed by K. Raghavendra Rao and produced by Ashwini Dutt. Other experimental works at this time include works such as Kondaveeti Donga the first Telugu film to be released on a 70 mm 6-Track Stereophonic sound,[44] the western genre Kodamasimham, and the social problem action film Gang Leader (1991) which were box-office hits and led Chiranjeevi being regarded as "boss of Telugu cinema".[45]

Chiranjeevi's bolywood performances were appreciated in Pratibandh (1990), and Aaj Ka Goonda Raj. In 1996, he appeared in a guest role in the Kannada film Sipaayi. For his role in Aapadbandhavudu (1992), he received his second Nandi Award for Best Actor and third Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. The mid-1990s saw a career dip for Chiranjeevi with box-office duds such as Mechanic Alludu, S. P. Parasuram, Big Boss and Rikshavodu. There were exceptions, such as Mutha Mestri, which fetched him a fourth Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu, Mugguru Monagallu and Alluda Majaka were moderately successful.[43] After a brief lull, Chiranjeevi bounced back with Hitler, Master, Bavagaru Bagunnara?, Choodalani Vundi, and Sneham Kosam, for whcih he received his fifth Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. In 1999, Chiranjeevi was to appear in a Hollywood production directed by Dushan Garsi, and produced by Rameshkrishna Murthi. The Telugu version was directed by Suresh Krissna. The movie, which was titled The Return of the Thief of Baghdad, had its filming suspended for undisclosed reasons.[46]

Chiranjeevi's new decade started with Annayya. After a brief gap, Chiranjeevi starred in Indra, released in 2002, which broke all his previous box office records of Tollywood and won him his third Nandi Award for Best Actor and sixth Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. After that, he appeared in films with an underlying message and a social cause, including Tagore and Shankar Dada MBBS, for which he won his seventh and latest Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu, and Stalin. He was awarded the Filmfare Special Award – South in 2006, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South at the 58th Filmfare Awards South in 2011 for his contributions to the film industry.

Political career

In 2008, Chiranjeevi started Praja Rajyam, a political party in the state of Andhra Pradesh.[47] At the launch, he stated that social justice was the main agenda of his party.[48] In the 2009 general elections, the party won 18 of the 295 seats in the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly.[49] He was elected a Member of the State Assembly from Tirupati.[50]

He contested from both Tirupati and Palakollu Constituencies for MLA in the 2009 general elections, winning in Tirupati but losing out in Palakollu, in West-Godavari district.[51][52]

On 6 February 2011, Chiranjeevi merged the 30-month-old Praja Rajyam Party with the Indian National Congress,[49][53] after two weeks of talks with Sonia Gandhi, the president of the Congress, which feared the no confidence motion in the state assembly in the wake of the emergence of Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party and the stronghold of Telangana agitation. After more than one year of merging his party into Congress, he was nominated to Rajya Sabha on 29 March 2012. He got elected and took the oath as a Rajya Sabha member on 3 April 2012. On 28 October 2012, he was sworn in as the Union Minister of State (Independent charge), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.[54]

Chiranjeevi campaigned extensively for Indian National Congress as chairman of election campaign committee for 2014 parliamentary and assembly elections in residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, however, he refrained from contesting in elections.[55][56] His youngest brother Pawan Kalyan, a former Praja Rajyam Party youth wing leader, launched his own political party Jana Sena and campaigned for Telugu Desham Party and Bharatiya Janata Party.[57] Indian National Congress was defeated in all parliamentary and state assembly seats it contested in Andhra Pradesh with several candidates losing deposit.[58][59]

Humanitarian work

On 2 October 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 and 1,414 eye donations.[6][60][61] The Blood Bank of the CCT has helped over 80,000 people and the Eye Bank has helped about 1,000 people in the state of Andhra Pradesh since its opening. Around 350,000 people have pledged their eyes to CCT so far, giving 1600 people eyesight through CCT. CCT has also won the "Best Voluntary Blood Bank Award" by the AP State Government for the past 4 years.[62][63] On 10 June 2006, the then President of India, Abdul Kalam, inaugurated the Chiranjeevi Charitable Foundation (CCF) at the Jubilee Hills Check Post in Hyderabad.[64]

CCT crossed the one lakh mark in collecting blood and more than 96,000 people have been helped with blood by this blood bank.[65]

After allegations made against the Blood Bank and Eye Bank,[66][67] 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, medical waste disposal, camps conducted, blood expiry, quality control, store room, record room and purchase of equipment.[68][69]

Awards, honours and recognitions

Director [70][71] K. Balachander said "Chiranjeevi has both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in him. Not only can he do action, he can also act."[72] Chiranjeevi received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour in India in the year 2006. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Andhra University in the same year.[11] He is a ten-time winner of Filmfare Awards South[6][11] and a four time winner of Nandi Awards. In 2014, he was awarded International Face of Indian Cinema at the 3rd South Indian International Movie Awards from Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.[73]

Awards

Civilian honor
Filmfare Awards South
Nandi Awards
SIIMA Awards
Other honors

Filmography

Below are the selected filmography of Chiranjeevi.

References

  1. ↑ http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/SE_2004/StatisticalReports_AP_2004.pdf
  2. ↑ http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/AE2009/Statistical_Report_AP2009.pdf
  3. ↑ "Chiranjeevi Biography, Chiranjeevi Profile". entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  4. ↑ "Chiranjeevi on Telugu Filmnagar".
  5. ↑ Business Standard. "Chiranjeevi's dramatic comeback". Business-standard.com. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Padmabhushanudiki Mega Sanmanam Part – I – Telugu Movie News". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  7. ↑ "Chiranjeevi's debut". Rediff.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  8. ↑ "Chiranjeevi felicitation on Padma Bhushan honor – Telugu Cinema actor". idlebrain.com.
  9. ↑ "Chiranjeevi was invited for Oscar Awards". The Times Of India. 13 March 2012.
  10. ↑ "Chiru At Cannes Vs Chiru At Oscars". Gulte.com.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : From reel to real life". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  12. ↑ http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm24IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=24IIFA.pdf
  13. ↑ "First Telugu film to gross 100 million – Times Of India". The Times of India.
  14. ↑ "First Telugu film to gross Rs. 1 million". The Times Of India. 17 August 2012.
  15. ↑ Babu, Venkatesha (23 April 2009). "The 'megastar' hopes to score a smash hit on debut". Livemint. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  16. ↑ Rajeev Deshpande, TNN, 18 April 2009, 03.15am IST (18 April 2009). "Chiru charisma shines on, may end up hurting Cong". Times of India. Retrieved 15 May 2010.
  17. ↑ "Chiru; Bigger than Bachchan". CineJosh. 23 April 2012.
  18. ↑ "Chiranjeevi dismisses reports linking him with tax raids". indianexpress.com.
  19. ↑ "Dr.Vishnu the most popular star". www.filmibeat.com.
  20. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  21. ↑ "AU confers honorary degrees on Chiru, others". Chennai, India: Hindu.com. 7 November 2006. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  22. ↑ "Chiranjeevi to inaugurate Incredible India exhibition at Cannes". The Times Of India. 20 May 2013.
  23. ↑ ANI (21 May 2013). "Chiranjeevi offers wide opportunities to foreign film producers in India". business-standard.com.
  24. ↑ "Press Information Bureau". pib.nic.in.
  25. ↑ "100 Years of Cinema: The men who changed the face of Indian films". IBNLive.
  26. ↑ "Chiranjeevi's 150th film to begin in August". The Times of India.
  27. ↑ "Selam/: PR faces 'mega' dilemma!". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 26 March 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  28. ↑ "Chiranjeevi". Oneindia Entertainment.
  29. ↑ "Andhra Pradesh / Ongole News : Nostalgic moments for Chiru". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 11 January 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  30. 1 2 3 D., Murali Krishna. "Many Happy Returns to Mega Star". Indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  31. 1 2 R. G., Vijayasarathy (18 August 2008). "From superstar to a political leader". Rediff.com. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  32. 1 2 "Chiru celebrates decisive B'Day! – Telugu". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  33. ↑ "Double whammy for Chiru's fans – Bollywood Movie News". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  34. ↑ "Chiranjeevi—Live and let others live is the theme of his life". EntireAndhra.com. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  35. ↑ "Chiranjeevi – Filmography". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  36. ↑ "Ram Charan Teja to do a remake?". EntireAndhra.com. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  37. ↑ "Entertainment Chennai / Film Review : What women power?". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 17 June 2005. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  38. ↑ Intlo Ramayya Veedilo Krishnayya
  39. ↑ Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)
  40. ↑ Filmfare Best Director Award (Telugu)
  41. ↑ "Manchupallaki (1982)". IMDb. 19 November 1982.
  42. ↑ "Topper of Vivekanandha collegePart – I – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  43. 1 2 "Megastar Chiranjeevi's Hits And Flops". Weekendcreations.com. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  44. ↑ Kondaveeti Donga (1990) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb
  45. ↑ Gopalan, Krishna (30 August 2008). "Southern movie stars & politics: A long love affair". The Economic Times. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  46. ↑ "The Return of the Thief of Bagdad".
  47. ↑ "Front Page : Chiranjeevi launches 'Praja Rajyam'". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 27 August 2008. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013.
  48. ↑ "Tirupati premier for Chiranjeevi's party".
  49. 1 2 "Front Page : Praja Rajyam Party merges with Congress". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  50. ↑ "Chiranjeevi starts a new role as Andhra MLA". CNN-IBN. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  51. ↑ "Chiranjeevi loses from Palacole, wins Tirupati" The Economic Times 16 May 2009
  52. ↑ Srinivas, Vadrevu (18 May 2009). "Chiranjeevi loses not just elections, but respect too". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  53. ↑ "Front Page :Praja Rajyam merges with Congress". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  54. ↑ "Seniors should make way for youngsters: Chiranjeevi". The New Indian Express.
  55. ↑ "Chiranjeevi starts Election campaigning from Srikakulam". timesofap.com.
  56. ↑ "Congress will build new capital: Chiranjeevi". Deccan Chronicle.
  57. ↑ "Will Pawan Kalyan's Anti-Congresss Campaign Pull Chiranjeevi Down – The Hans India". thehansindia.com.
  58. ↑ "Election Results 2014: TDP, TRS win Seemandhra and Telangana assembly polls". timesofindia-economictimes.
  59. ↑ "Election Results 2014: TDP, TRS Win Seemandhra, Telangana Assembly Polls". NDTV.com. 17 May 2014.
  60. ↑ "Chiranjeevi Eye Bank | Best blood Bank | State Government Award | Recognition – Oneindia Entertainment". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  61. ↑ "Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust – Chiranjeevi Eye Bank and Blood Bank". Humsurfer. 25 February 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  62. ↑ "Chiranjeevi Charitable trust is number one blood bank in Andhra Pradesh – A write up on CCT – Megastar Chiranjeevi – megastar Chiranjeevi the founder president of Prajaraajyam". Cherryfans.com. 2 October 1998. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  63. ↑ "Chiranjeevi Blood Bank receives State award – Telugu Cinema News". Bharatwaves.com. 5 December 2006. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  64. ↑ "Dr. Abdul Kalam launches Chiranjeevi Charitable Foundation". idlebrain.com. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  65. ↑ "MEGASTAR CHIRANJEEVI ~ Early Tollywood". Earlytollywood.com. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  66. ↑ "Pic: Chiranjeevi as a five years old boy – Telugu Cinema News". Bharatwaves.com. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  67. ↑ "Jeevitha Rajasekhar salute Chiru Fans". Cinejosh.com. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
  68. ↑ "Did actor Chiranjeevi sell off his fans' blood?". rediff.com. 12 August 2010.
  69. ↑ "Panel set up to probe affairs of PRP chief`s blood bank". Zee News.
  70. ↑ "Chiranjeevi was invited for Oscar Awards". The Times Of India. 13 March 2012.
  71. ↑ "Chiru At Cannes Vs Chiru At Oscars". Gulte.com.
  72. ↑ "rediff.com, Movies:The Rediff Interview: Chiranjeevi". Rediff.com. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  73. 1 2 "Chiranjeevi named Face of Indian Cinema". The Times of India.
  74. ↑ "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who – Times of India (Firm) – Google Books". Books.google.co.in. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  75. ↑ "The affable eccentric Prathap Pothan". The New Indian Express. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  76. ↑ Collections, p 394
  77. ↑ "Data India". google.co.in.
  78. ↑ "Data India". google.co.in.
  79. ↑ "Manikchand Filmfare Awards: Sizzling at 50". The Economic Times. 25 May 2003. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  80. ↑ ""Autograph" bags 3 Filmfare awards". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 10 July 2005.
  81. ↑ "54th Fair One Filmfare Awards 2006 – Telugu cinema function". Idlebrain.com. 4 August 2007. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  82. ↑ "The glitter, the gloss, the razzmatazz". The Times of India.
  83. ↑ "Chiranjeevi conferred doctorate". Sify.com. 29 October 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2015.

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