Chiranjeevi (born 22 August 1955) is an Indian actor, film producer and former politician who works mainly in Telugu cinema. Known as the “Megastar”, he has acted in more than 150 films and was the dominant star of Telugu films in the 1980s and 1990s, famous for his dancing and action scenes. He founded the Praja Rajyam Party in 2008 and was India’s Minister of State for Tourism from 2012 to 2014. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 2024.
Quick Facts
| Birth name | Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad |
| Born | 22 August 1955, Mogalthur, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Age | 71 |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, former politician |
| Education | Madras Film Institute |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | Surekha (m. 1980) |
| Children | 3, including the actor Ram Charan |
| Honours | Padma Bhushan (2006), Padma Vibhushan (2024) |
Early Life
Chiranjeevi was born in Mogalthur, the son of a police constable, and grew up in several small towns in coastal Andhra Pradesh. After a commerce degree he joined the Madras Film Institute in 1976. His mother suggested the screen name “Chiranjeevi”, a name of the god Hanuman meaning “one who lives forever”.
Career
His first released film was Pranam Khareedu (1978). In his early years he often played villains and supporting roles.
A. Kodandarami Reddy’s action film Khaidi (1983) made him a star. A long run of hits followed, among them Pasivadi Pranam, Swayamkrushi, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990) with Sridevi, Gang Leader (1991), Gharana Mogudu (1992), Indra (2002) and Tagore (2003). Rudraveena (1988), which he produced, won a National Film Award. In 1992 he was reported to be the highest-paid actor in India.
In August 2008 he launched the Praja Rajyam Party, which won 18 seats in the 2009 Andhra Pradesh election. He merged it with the Congress in 2011, entered the Rajya Sabha and served as Minister of State for Tourism with independent charge in Manmohan Singh‘s government.
He came back with Khaidi No. 150 (2017), his 150th film, followed by Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019), Godfather (2022) and Waltair Veerayya (2023).
Personal Life
Chiranjeevi married Surekha, daughter of the comedian Allu Ramalingaiah, in 1980. Their son Ram Charan is a leading actor, and his nephew is Allu Arjun. His younger brother Pawan Kalyan is an actor and the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. In 1998 he founded the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust, which runs large blood and eye banks in Hyderabad.
Awards and Honours
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Chiranjeevi born?
Chiranjeevi was born on 22 August 1955 in Mogalthur, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India and is 71 years old.
What is Chiranjeevi’s occupation?
Occupation: Actor, producer, former politician.
What honours has Chiranjeevi received?
Padma Bhushan (2006), Padma Vibhushan (2024).
Featured image: Chiranjeevi, then Minister of State for Tourism, speaks at the National Tourism Awards, New Delhi, 18 March 2013. Photo by Ministry of Tourism, licensed under Government Open Data License – India, via Wikimedia Commons.
