Fondly called as the Megastar of Telugu cinema, Chiranjeevi is turning 65 on Saturday (August 21) and interestingly, it happens to be the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi as well. Originally christened as Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad, the typical middle-class boy wrapped up his graduation in Narsapur and joined the Madras Film Institute in 1976 to pursue a career in acting. After experiencing a fair share of struggles like any newcomer, he sweated it hard in the showbiz world and worked his way to the top by nurturing his impeccable dialogue delivery, brilliant comic timing, tremendous acting prowess and superb dancing skills to the maximum.
Chiranjeevi also holds the credit for giving a new definition to dance in Tollywood. Be it folk, break, classical, or disco, he excelled in all dance forms and influenced a whole new generation of actors to go the extra mile when it comes to moving their bodies. After a 10-year sabbatical from acting due to an unsuccessful political stint, the veteran warhorse returned to the silver screen in 2017 with the action-drama Khaidi No. 150 and continued his habit of delivering monstrous hits at the ticket counters. In 2019, Chiru stepped into the shoes of the rebellious freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy in the period actioner ‘Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy’ and proved his mettle with a power-packed performance even at 64.
Initially, the senior hero introduced both his brothers, Pawan Kalyan and Naga Babu, to the celluloid. Later, a big line-up of actors followed from the mega family which include Ram Charan, Sai Dharam Tej, Kalyaan Dhev, Allu Arjun, Allu Sirish, Panja Vaisshnav Tej and Niharika Konidela. As the veteran warhorse is celebrating his 65th birthday, check out some of the astonishing facts regarding his professional space which are still not known to many.
Not many know that Chiranjeevi’s 1992 blockbuster ‘Gharana Mogudu’ is the first Telugu film to gross over Rs 10 crore at the ticket counters. Starring Nagma and Vani Viswanath as the leading ladies, the film was also screened at the 1993 International Film Festival of India in the mainstream section. The K Raghavendra Rao directorial is the remake of 1986 Kannada film Anuraga Aralithu.
Chiranjeevi was the first actor from South India to be invited to the 59th Academy Awards (Oscars) which took place in 1987 at Los Angeles, California.
The veteran superstar is also the first Indian actor to receive a remuneration of Rs 7 crore (Indra). He surpassed Aamir Khan who took a whopping Rs 6 crore pay cheque for the 2001 sports-drama Lagaan.
Chiranjeevi’s 1987 social-drama Swayamkrushi helmed by iconic director K Viswanath became the first Telugu film to be dubbed into Russian and also hold a special screening at the popular Moscow International Film Festival. Besides this honour, the inspiring movie was also played at International Film Festival of India and Asia Pacific Film Festival.
According to authentic reports, the ‘Acharya’ star became the highest-paid actor in the country after he received a whopping Rs 1.25 crore remuneration for Aapadbandhavudu in 1992. During that time, a couple of popular magazines credited him as “Bigger than Bachchan.”
According to a top news agency, the ‘Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari’ actor was one among the top 10 Personalities who inspired the maximum people in India during the 90s (1990-1999). In 1999, Chiranjeevi was about to feature in his maiden Hollywood film ‘The Return of the Thief of Baghdad’. Sadly, the shooting of the project got suspended for undisclosed reasons.
Legendary filmmaker of Indian cinema, K Balachander once said “Chiranjeevi has both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan in him. Not only can he do action, he can also act.”
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/megastar-chiranjeevi-turns-65-years-young-on-saturday-and-his-fans-have-big-plans-lined-up-for-the-digital-celebrations-/articleshow/77677820.cms
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