Konidela Chiranjeevi was born on 22 August 1955 in Mogalthur, Andhra Pradesh, India. While growing up in a middle-class family, he completed his education at Sri Y N College before entering the Madras Film Institute to complete his degree in acting and film technique.
Film Career & Rise to Stardom
Chiranjeevi adopted the name due to his and his family’s immense belief in Hanuman, a Hindu deity. The name Chiranjeevi means immortal, the one who lives forever. He made his debut with his first film, Punadhirallu, in 1978 in a small role, without knowing how far that would take him. Chiranjeevi started his career with small roles, but his talent was soon recognised, and that helped him become “The Megastar of the Telugu Industry”.
Chiranjeevi worked in the industry for four decades and gave over 150 films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi. He is well known for his dancing skills, powerful on-screen presence, and versatility in roles, from action to comedy to emotional.
Some of the well-known and must-watch Cheeranjeevi movies are Khaidi, an action movie that established him as a mass hero.
Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnayya (1982) was a family drama that showcased his emotional side and how well he can adapt to the genre.
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990) became a record-grossing fantasy hit, alongside Sridevi.
Indra (2002), Shankar Dada MBBS (2004) and others, where he got numerous awards and appreciations. Chiranjeevi is more than just a name; he is a cultural icon.
Personal Life
Chiranjeevi gained immense popularity in his career with a variety of roles and great performances. He broadened his career as he stepped into politics. He founded the Praja Rajyam Party that works to uplift marginalised sections of society. He later merged the party with the Indian National Congress.
He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Tirupati from 2009-2012 and as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from 2012-2018. Chiranjeevi also held the position of Union Minister of State for Tourism.
He has been married to Surekha, the daughter of Telugu comic actor Allu Ramalingaiah and together they have two daughters, Sushmitha and Sreeja, and a son, Ram Charan, who is also a well-known actor in the industry.
Awards & Honors
Chiranjeevi’s decade-long career in the film industry has been widely appreciated and recognised. He won India’s second- and third-highest civilian awards, Padma Vibhushan in 2024 and Bhushan in 2006, for his impact on culture and art.
He also won the IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year in 2022 and a Guinness World Record in 2024 as the most prolific actor-dancer in Indian cinema.
He also won multiple Filmfare Awards South, Nandi Awards, and lifetime achievement awards.
Chiranjeevi’s presence in any movie makes it a blockbuster hit, and now he has become the first Indian actor to make ₹1 crore per film, a significant milestone in the industry.
Legacy of The Megastar
Chiranjeevi, a name which is known beyond cinema. In 1998, he founded the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust, known as one of India’s largest blood and eye banks. He is known as one of the most down-to-earth actors who became one of Telugu cinema’s greatest actors with the title “Mega Star”.
He remains active in cinema, with fans and industry alike acknowledging his unmatched contributions to Indian entertainment.
