An Indian actor and former politician with a career spanning over thirty-nine years, over 150 feature films, numerous awards, and accolades, the first Indian actor to start their personal website, the highest-paid actor at one point in time, and regarded as one of the most popular Indian actors in the history of Indian Cinema, Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad, aka, Chiranjeevi has a significant following both nationwide and globally.
Born on the 22nd of August 1955 in a village in Andhra Pradesh, Chiranjeevi spent his childhood in his village with his grandparents as his father was a police constable and was regularly transferred. Growing up he did his schooling from multiple schools, what with moving all the time and at one point he was an NCC cadet and had participated in the Republic Day Parade in the early 70s, New Delhi. From a young age, Chiranjeevi was interested in acting and after he completed his college degree, he moved to Chennai and joined the Madras Film Institute to professionally pursue his acting career.
In the early stage of his career, Chiranjeevi played minor roles and was anti-heroes. In 1979, he had eight major film releases and fourteen releases in the following year. Some of his famous lead antagonist films include Mosagadu, Rani Kasula Rangamma, 47 Natkal 147 Rojulu, Nyayam Kavali, and Ranuva Veeran.
Chiranjeevi’s breakthrough came with his lead role in Subhalekha, which dealt with the social malady of the dowry system. The movie got Chiranjeevi his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. From there, Chiranjeevi’s lead roles started pouring in.
Chiranjeevi’s 1992 film Gharana Mogudu turned out to be the first South Indian film to collect over a 10 crore share at the box office. The film got screened at the International Film Festival of India in 1993, making Chiranjeevi the highest-paid actor of that time. Magazines like Filmfare and India Today named him “Bigger Than Bachchan” and the news magazine “The Week” called him the new money-making machine. At one point Chiranjeevi was paid over 1.25 crores, the highest fee for any Indian actor, to star in the 1992 film Aapadbandhavudu.
Some of Chiranjeevi’s box office hits include Mantri Gari Viyyankudu, Sangharshana, Goonda, Challenge, Hero, Donga, Jwala, Adavi Donga, Kondaveeti Raja, Rakshasudu, Vijetha, Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya, Subhalekha, Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu, Billa Ranga, Manchu Pallaki, Swayamkrushi, Pasivadi Pranam, Yamudiki Mongudu, Rudraveena, Kondaveeti Donga, Pratibandh, Aaj ka Goonda Raaj, Aapabandhavudu, Hitler, Master, Choodalani Vundi, Sneham Kosam, Gang Leader amongst others.
In a career spanning thirty-nine years, Chiranjeevi won nine Filmfare Awards South, three Andra Pradesh State Nandi Awards, Raghupathi Venkaiah Award. In 2006, the Government of India honored Chiranjeevi with the Padma Bhusan, the third-highest civilian honor of the country, and he was given an honorary doctorate from the Ministry Of Andhra Pradesh. Along with this, Chiranjeevi has also served as the Minister of Tourism for the Government of India from 2012 to 2014.
On Chiranjeevi’s birthday, Saregama celebrates his contribution to the Indian Cinema. For More mp3 songs visit Saregama Website.