The rise of a MEGA STAR

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: From a dynamic hero to a daring, dashing and dynamic hero to a supreme hero and then a Mega Star, Konidela Siva Sankara Varaprasad alias Chiranjeevi has indeed come a long way in his three-decade-long film career. Born on August 22, 1955, at Mogalturu in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Chiranjeevi obtained a bachelor’s degree in commerce before embarking on his filmy career. He went to Madras (now Chennai) in January 1977 on the pretext of pursuing ICWA course but instead landed up in the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce’s Film Institute. Acting was his passion and becoming a star was his ambition. Even as he was learning the nuances of acting at the Film Institute, opportunity came knocking on him in the form of a bit role in Punadirallu, directed by Gudapati Rajkumar, in 1978. And, he never had to look back again though he did not have any so-called Godfather in the Telugu film industry. His first film that hit the screens, however, was Pranam Kharidu in September 1978. His sharp eyes were the main attraction in Chiranjeevi that prompted many a producer and director to offer roles of varied shades in their movies. And, the roles landed in his lap one after the other in quick succession. Be it a villain (Idi Kadha Kadu, directed by K Balachander) or an anti-hero (Nyayam Kaavali, directed by A Kodandarami Reddy) or side roles in films like Manavuri Paandavulu (directed by Bapu), Chiranjeevi grabbed them all with the only objective of proving his mettle. In Nakili Manishi (1980), he played his first dual role – a hero and a villain – with effortless ease and won the industry’s acclaim. The same year, AVM Studios handpicked him for the lead role in their film Punnami Nagu which won him the first Filmfare award. By then Chiranjeevi had gradually established himself in the industry and offers never ceased to pour in. In the early years of his career, Chiranjeevi acted alongside all the top heroes of the time, including N T Rama Rao, Krishna, Krishnam Raju and Sobhan Babu, but had to wait a good 17 years to co-star with Akkineni Nageswara Rao. In 1980, Chiranjeevi married noted comedian Allu Ramalingaiah’s daughter Surekha. The turning point in Chiranjeevi’s career came in October 1983 when Khaidi was released. The angry young man’s character he played, coupled with some breathtaking dance movements, has catapulted Chiranjeevi into stardom. Though there were many other major hits under his belt in the latter half of his career, Khaidi still remains his best. In fact, Chiranjeevi himself rates Khaidi as his favourite film. Subsequent hits like Challenge, Pasivadi Pranam, Yamudiki Mogudu, Attaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu, Gang Leader, Swayamkrushi, Donga Mogudu, Vijetha, Kondaveeti Donga, Raakshasudu, Gharana Mogudu and Jagadekaveerudu Atiloka Sundari, Rowdy Alludu – to name a few – have firmly established him as the Number One in Telugu film industry for two decades. Chiranjeevi excelled in the portrayal of Lord Siva in films like Aapatbandhavudu and Sri Manjunatha. In his second innings as a hero, Chiranjeevi had mega hits like Annayya, Bavagaru Bagunnara, Indra, Shankar Dada MBBS and Tagore. Films like Indra and Tagore have given him a large-than-life image, though strictly speaking the real actor in him could not be found in those characters as he deliberately tried to build an aura around himself through such roles. Among his critically-acclaimed films are Subhalekha, Swayamkrushi, Aapatbandhavudu (all directed by K Viswanath), Vijetha and Rudraveena (K Balachander). The multi-faceted talent of Chiranjeevi could be found in these films. Chiranjeevi won the Golden Nandi award for best actor from the state government for Swayamkrushi, Aapatbandhavudu and Indra and also won six Filmfare awards among many others in his career. His first home production Rudraveena fetched him the Nargis Dutt award from the Government of India for the best film on national integration. Chiranjeevi also starred in three Hindi films: Pratibandh (remake of Telugu hit Ankusam), Aaj Ka Gundaraj (remake of his own Telugu hit Gang Leader) and Gentleman (remake of the Tamil hit).