Indian film actor and producer turned politician, Chiranjeevi is born as Konida Siva Sankara Vara Pasad on August 22, 1955 in Mogalthur, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India. At a very young age, he was already interested in acting. He had his Intermediate in C.S.R. Sharma College at Ongole and a degree in college from Y.N. College in Narsapur. After graduation in 1976, he moved to Chennai and joined the Madras Film Institute to pursue a career in acting. His first public performance was in the Republic Day parade ballet of Andra Pradesh in January 26, 1976. His screen name was based from a Hindu God Anjaneya whom the family worshipped.
Chiranjeevi, a Macho Telugu Star, has starred in 149 feature films in his 33 years of film career. He debuted in the film Punadhirallu (1978). His success in the film industry began with Initilo Ramayya Vidhilo Krishnayya (1981).Along with his brother Nagendra Babu, he co-produced Rudraveena in 1988 that won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. He had won four state Nandi Awards and ten Filmfare Awards South. He also did some Hindi movies such as Pratibandh (1990)and Aaj ka Gunda Raaj where he was well-recognized. He was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award, for his contribution in Indian cinema. He was presented an honorary doctorate from Andhra University in 2006.
In 1998, Chiranjeevi founded the Chiranjeevi Charitable Institution that is involved in humanitarian activities. He is well known for his philanthropy. He had a Chiranjeevi Trust for Eye and Blood donation. He entered politics in 2008 when he formed the Praja Rajyam Party. During the 2009 Andhra Pradesh elections, he contested from his native place Palakollu and Tirupati. He was defeated by the Congress party candidate in Palakollu and was elected as a member of the State Assembly from Tirupati constituency. In the same election, he led his party to be the third largest party.
Chiranjeevi married Surekha, the daughter of veteran Telugu actor Allu Rama Lingaiah in February 20 1980. They have two daughters named Sushmita and Sreeja, and a son named Ram Charan Teja who is also an actor in Tollywood. Today, he is one of the highest paid actors in India.
Earnings & Financial Data
|
Date |
Category |
Description |
Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2003 |
Salary |
Salary from the film, Shankar Dada MBBS |
$1,100,000 |
|
2000 |
Salary |
Salary from the film, Mrugaraaju |
$744,000 |