Today is a very big day for all Megastar fans. The man, who became the first “Megastar” of Telugu Cinema with his screen charismatic ways and stylish dances, is celebrating his 57th birthday today. Chiranjeevi, who was at the pinnacle of fame and glory for about 3 decades, was born on 22 August, 1955 at Mogalthur in West Godavari district. The film actor turned politician’s original name is Konidala Siva Sankara Vara Prasad and was rechristened as Chiranjeevi when he entered the film industry. He set a new trend in Telugu cinema with his signature dance style which saw him rising to phenomenal fame and national glory.
Chiranjeevi’s list of hits among his 149 films includes ’47 Rojulu’, ‘Subhalekha’, ‘Vijetha’, ‘Abhilasha’, ‘Swayam Krushi’, ‘Khaidi’, ‘Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari’, ‘Prathibandh’, ‘Gang Leader’, ‘Gharana Mogudu’, ‘Muta Mesthri’, ‘Sneham Kosam’, ‘Indra’, ‘Tagore’, ‘Shankar Dada MBBS’, and the list goes on and on.
Chiranjeevi won 9 Filmfare Awards (7 Best Actor Awards, 1 Legendary Honorary Award & 1 Lifetime Achievement Award) and was nominated once for Best Actor award for ‘Prathibandh’ in 1991. He was honoured with the State Nandi Awards four times – thrice with Best Actor Award and once with Special Jury Award. Besides so many pretigious awards, Megastar Chiranjeevi received the ‘Padmabhushan’ in 2006, the highest civilian honour in India, followed by the Honorary Doctorate by Andhra University in the same year.
Chiranjeevi married Surekha, D/O veteran actor Late Allu Ramalingaiah in 1980. The couple have two daughters, Sushmita and Srija and a son Ram Charan Tej (who is also a leading star with whom Chiru shared his screen space in 'Magadheera'). His entire family that includes Pawan Kalyan, Naga Babu, Allu Aravind and Allu Arjun is contributing services to Telugu Film Industry in various forms.
He started the Eye and Blood Bank in Hyderabad with the intention of helping the needy and serving the people. He entered politics in 2008 by establishing his own party Praja Rajyam and won 18 State Assembly seats. After merging his Praja Rajyam Party with Congress in February 2011, he finally became the Rajya Sabha member in 2012.
Although he still struggling to gain the political popularity, Megastar Chiranjeevi, who made a mark in Tollywood with awe-inspiring fan following, still remains one of the most beloved actors.
Here’s wishing “Megastar Chiranjeevi” A Very Happy Birthday.
