Chiranjeevi (Actors) Wiki
Early life and family
Chiranjeevi was born as Konidela Sivasankara Varaprasad Rao on 22 August 1955 in Mogalthur, a village in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. His father Konidela Venkata Rao worked as a constable and was transferred on a regular basis. He spent his childhood in his native village with his grandparents.Chiranjeevi did his schooling in Nidadavolu, Gurazala, Bapatla, Ponnur, Mangalagiri and Mogalthur. He was an NCC cadet and had participated in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi in the early 1970s. His father Konidela Venkata Rao worked as a constable and was transferred on a regular basis. He spent his childhood in his native village with his grandparents.Chiranjeevi did his schooling in Nidadavolu, Gurazala, Bapatla, Ponnur, Mangalagiri and Mogalthur. He was an NCC cadet and had participated in the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi in the early 1970s. He was interested in acting from a young age. He did his Intermediate at C. S. R. Sarma College in Ongole.After graduating with a degree in commerce from Sri Y N College at Narsapuram, Chiranjeevi moved to Chennai and joined the Madras Film Institute in 1976 to pursue a career in acting.Personal life
On 20 February 1980, Chiranjeevi married Surekha, the daughter of Telugu comic actor Allu Ramalingaiah. They have two daughters, Sushmitha and Sreeja, and a son, Ram Charan, also an actor in Telugu cinema.Chiranjeevi has two brothers, Nagendra Babu, a film producer and actor, and Pawan Kalyan, an actor-politician who founded Jana Sena, a regional political party. Allu Aravind, his brother-in-law, is a film producer. Chiranjeevi is uncle to the actors Allu Arjun, Allu Sirish, Varun Tej, Niharika, Sai Dharam Tej, and Panja Vaisshnav Tej.Acting career
Since his family worshipped Anjaneya, a Hindu deity, his mother advised him to take the screen name "Chiranjeevi", meaning "Immortal", a reference to the belief of Hanuman living forever.Chiranjeevi started his film career with ''Punadhirallu''. However, his first released film was ''Pranam Khareedu''. ''Mana Voori Pandavulu'', directed by Bapu, gave Chiranjeevi recognition from the Telugu audience. He played a small role in ''Tayaramma Bangarayya''. He played the anti-hero in films ''I Love You'' and K. Balachander's ''Idi Katha Kaadu'', 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. 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. He played lead antagonist in works such as ''Mosagadu'', ''Rani Kasula Rangamma'', ''47 Natkal'' /''47 Rojulu'', ''Nyayam Kavali'' and ''Ranuva Veeran''.Chiranjeevi began to appear in leading roles with films such as (1982), directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, which was a hit at the box office. Later, he starred in ''Subhalekha'', 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. He also appeared in movies such as ''Idi Pellantara'', ''Sitadevi'', ''Tingu Rangadu'', ''Bandhalu Anubandhalu'' and ''Mondi Ghatam''. He acted in multi-star movies such as ''Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu'' and ''Billa Ranga'', and later appeared in ''Manchu Pallaki''.''Khaidi'' was a box office success and Chiranjeevi attained stardom with this movie. In 1984, he 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''. In 1985, he received his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his performance in ''Vijetha''.Chiranjeevi received his first Nandi Award for Best Actor for ''Swayamkrushi'' (1987), directed by K. Viswanath. ''Pasivadi Pranam'' (1987), ''Yamudiki Mogudu'' (1988) and ''Manchi Donga'' (1988) also did well at the box office. Chiranjeevi co-produced and acted in ''Rudraveena'' (1988), which won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, and the Nandi Special Jury Award. Chiranjeevi then experimented with ''Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka 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 70mm 6-Track Stereophonic sound, the western genre Kodamasimham and the social problem action film ''Gang Leader'' (1991), which were box-office hits and led to Chiranjeevi being regarded as the "boss of Telugu cinema".Chiranjeevi's Bollywood performances were appreciated in ''Pratibandh'' and ''Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj''. 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. In 1996, he appeared in a guest role in the Kannada film ''Sipayi''. After a brief lull, Chiranjeevi bounced back with ''Hitler'', ''Master'', ''Bavagaru Bagunnara?'', ''Choodalani Vundi'' and ''Sneham Kosam'', for which 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.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;'' ''Shankar Dada M.B.B.S.'', 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.From 2013 onwards, he was on the lookout for the right script to mark his comeback into cinema, in what would coincidentally happen to be his 150th film as an actor. A year following the release of the highly successful 2014 Tamil film ''Kaththi'', Chiranjeevi chose to remake that film in Telugu as his comeback film. The remake, titled ''Khaidi No. 150'', directed by V. V. Vinayak, was released during the Sankranti holiday in 2017, about six months short of a decade following ''Shankar Dada Zindabad'', to positive reviews. Critics have singled out Chiranjeevi in particular, praising him for both his performance and appearance, especially following a decade of absence from cinema. The movie collected 41.75 crore on its opening day and grossed 164 crore in its lifetime. In 2019, he starred in his first period film ''Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy'' based on the life of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy; it was directed by Surender Reddy. The movie made on a budget more than 270 crore, grossed more than in its theatrical run. Chiranjeevi had two releases in 2022. His first film was ''Acharya'' directed by Koratala Siva co-starring Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan. His second release was ''GodFather'' directed by Mohan Raja. The film had Salman Khan in an extended cameo role and was largely successful. ''GodFather'' subsequently released on Netflix. Chiranjeevi had two releases in 2022. His first film was ''Acharya'' directed by Koratala Siva co-starring Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan. His second release was ''GodFather'' directed by Mohan Raja. The film had Salman Khan in an extended cameo role and was largely successful. ''GodFather'' subsequently released on Netflix.Chiranjeevi then starred in the 2023 film ''Waltair Veerayya'' directed by Bobby Kolli which released during the Sankranti festival. The film also starred Ravi Teja in an important role, reuniting them on screen after 23 years since the 2000 film ''Annayya''. The film met huge commercial success. ''Waltair Veerayya'' later released on Netflix for streaming.Chiranjeevi also appeared in ''Bhola Shankar'', a remake of a 2015 Tamil Film Vedalam. Chiranjeevi announced his film with director Mallidi Vassishta.1978–1981: Early career
Since his family worshipped Anjaneya, a Hindu deity, his mother advised him to take the screen name "Chiranjeevi", meaning "Immortal", a reference to the belief of Hanuman living forever.Chiranjeevi started his film career with ''Punadhirallu''. However, his first released film was ''Pranam Khareedu''. ''Mana Voori Pandavulu'', directed by Bapu, gave Chiranjeevi recognition from the Telugu audience. He played a small role in ''Tayaramma Bangarayya''. He played the anti-hero in films ''I Love You'' and K. Balachander's ''Idi Katha Kaadu'', 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. 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. He played lead antagonist in works such as ''Mosagadu'', ''Rani Kasula Rangamma'', ''47 Natkal'' /''47 Rojulu'', ''Nyayam Kavali'' and ''Ranuva Veeran''.1982–1986: Breakthrough with leading roles
Chiranjeevi began to appear in leading roles with films such as (1982), directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, which was a hit at the box office. Later, he starred in ''Subhalekha'', 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. He also appeared in movies such as ''Idi Pellantara'', ''Sitadevi'', ''Tingu Rangadu'', ''Bandhalu Anubandhalu'' and ''Mondi Ghatam''. He acted in multi-star movies such as ''Patnam Vachina Pativrathalu'' and ''Billa Ranga'', and later appeared in ''Manchu Pallaki''.''Khaidi'' was a box office success and Chiranjeevi attained stardom with this movie. In 1984, he 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''. In 1985, he received his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his performance in ''Vijetha''.1987–2007: Commercial success
Chiranjeevi received his first Nandi Award for Best Actor for ''Swayamkrushi'' (1987), directed by K. Viswanath. ''Pasivadi Pranam'' (1987), ''Yamudiki Mogudu'' (1988) and ''Manchi Donga'' (1988) also did well at the box office. Chiranjeevi co-produced and acted in ''Rudraveena'' (1988), which won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, and the Nandi Special Jury Award. Chiranjeevi then experimented with ''Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka 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 70mm 6-Track Stereophonic sound, the western genre Kodamasimham and the social problem action film ''Gang Leader'' (1991), which were box-office hits and led to Chiranjeevi being regarded as the "boss of Telugu cinema".Chiranjeevi's Bollywood performances were appreciated in ''Pratibandh'' and ''Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj''. 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. In 1996, he appeared in a guest role in the Kannada film ''Sipayi''. After a brief lull, Chiranjeevi bounced back with ''Hitler'', ''Master'', ''Bavagaru Bagunnara?'', ''Choodalani Vundi'' and ''Sneham Kosam'', for which 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.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;'' ''Shankar Dada M.B.B.S.'', 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.2008–2016: Hiatus in film career
thumb, and Ram Charan at "Incredible India" event in the 2013 Cannes Film Festival]]thumb and his son Ram Charan at his 60th Birthday Bash, 2015]]
Following his last film in the lead role, 2007's ''Shankar Dada Zindabad'', Chiranjeevi did not star in any film for approximately 10 years, during which he embarked on his political career. During these 10 years, his appearances in films were limited to cameo roles. He appeared as himself in two films, starring his son Ram Charan, namely ''Magadheera'' (2009) and ''Bruce Lee: The Fighter'' (2015). He also narrated ''Varudu'' (2010) and ''Rudhramadevi'' (2015). He also performed a cameo in ''Jagadguru Adi Shankara'' (2013) where he reprised his role as Lord Manjunatha from ''Sri Manjunatha'' (2001).