As a dreamer, he sought to reach out to stars, but grabbed a handful of them instead

The story of a Megastar, who epitomized indomitable grit. He dreamed it and made it happen

From a young dreamer to the Megastar, the story of Chiranjeevi is a narrative etched in talent, resilience, and an enduring connection with his audience. It is the story of a remarkable rise. Born on August 22, 1955, Konidela Sivasankara Varaprasad is an iconic figure in the Telugu cinema industry today.

Chiranjeevi has been honored with the Padma Vibhushan, which is India’s second-highest civilian award. He received this prestigious award for his exceptional and distinguished contributions to the world of cinema. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Chiranjeevi had a remarkable career. Having worked in over 150 films across various languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada, he enjoyed a fan following that is equal to that of Rajanikant. After receiving the award, he expressed his gratitude on social media, thanking everyone who supported him throughout his journey.

Chranjeevi began his acting career in 1978 with the film Punadhirallu. However, Pranam Khareedu was released earlier at the box office. In 1987, he starred in Swayamkrushi, which was dubbed into Russian and screened at the Moscow International Film Festival. His breakthrough came during the late 1980s and early 1990s when he took on leading roles in several successful films.

He won the Andhra Pradesh state’s highest film award, the Raghupathi Venkaiah Award, three Nandi Awards, and nine Filmfare Awards South, including the Lifetime Achievement Award.

CNN-IBN named him as one of “the men who changed the face of Indian Cinema.”

Chiranjeevi established the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008 and participated in the 2009 Andhra Pradesh election.

He served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from 2012 to 2018.

His comeback in films included successful movies like Khaidi No 150 and Waltair Veerayya. In 2006, he received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, for his contributions to Indian cinema. The government of India honored him with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian honour too. Chiranjeevi’s legacy extends far beyond the silver screen, making him an iconic and influential figure in Indian cinema.