About Chiranjeevi (Biography & Trivia)
Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad is the eldest son of Late Sri Venkat Rao and Smt Anjana Devi. He was born on 22 August 1955 in Narsapur, a Town on the Banks of River Godavari in the West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh. He spent his childhood in his native village with his grand parents, while his family was else where because of his father’s occupation. He has two sisters and two brothers; his younger brother, Nagendra Babu is a film producer and a film actor, his youngest brother, Pawan Kalyan is also a Telugu film actor.
Varaprasad did his schooling in Nidadavolu, Gurajala, Ponnuru, Mangalagiri and Mogalturu. He won many prizes for his acting skills in school, especially for the performance as Parandamayya Panthulu. After high school he joined Bi.P.C in C.S.R.Sharma Jr. College at Ongole. Following that he finished his BCOM from Y.N. College in Narasapur.
Personal life
Chiranjeevi tied the wedding knot to Surekha, daughter of eminent yesteryear comedian Allu Rama Lingaiah, on February 20, 1980. He has 3 children, eldest daughter Sushma, son Ram Charan Tej and youngest daughter Sreeja.
Career
Chiranjeevi was called by different names at different stages in his life. At high school level, he was called KSSV Prasad. During his college days, he was called Prasad. At home, he was called ‘Sankara Babu’.
Varaprasad felt that his name ‘Sankar’ would not be appealing to the people. He had a dream one night in which lord hanuman called him as Chiranjeevi. Then he narrated the same incident to his mother and she advised him to change his screen name to Chiranjeevi. He is also a great devotee of Lord Hanuman and hence he changed his name to Chiranjeevi which in Hindu mythology refers to Lord Hanuman
Awards and Honours
CHIRANJEEVI RECEIVING PADMA BHUSHAN Award from PRESIDENT ABDUL KALAM In January 2006, Mr Chiranjeevi was honored with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India. In November 2006, Chiranjeevi was awarded with a honorary doctorate by Andhra University for his services to the Telugu film industry and for his social work, A P Govt Nandi Awards for Swayankrushi (1987) and Apatbandhavudu (1992). Over 10 Filmfare Awards won.
Charitable Trust
Chiranjeevi, in october 1998, founded the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust(CCT). This trust includes Chiranjeevi Eye bank and Blood banks. It is the largest Blood and Eye bank in the state Andhra Pradesh. So far around 3.5 lakh people have pledged their eyes to CCT so far, giving 1600 people eye sight through CCT. CCT has also won the “Best Voluntary Blood Bank Award” by the AP State Government for the past 4 years.Recently chiranjeevi charitable trust has reached one more landmark by crossing the one lakh mark in collecting the blood and more than 96,000 people were helped with blood by this blood bank.
Political Life
Chiranjeevi’s foray into politics was highly anticipated in the media and political circles since 2007. While it was reported that he was seeking opinion of people during the latter half of 2007, the media also suggested that he would announce the decision in January 2008. Even before the party’s launch, several political leaders from the Andhra Pradesh such as Harirama Jogaiah from Congress Party and K. Vidyadhar Rao and B. Nagi Reddy from the Telugu Desam Party openly declared that they would join hands with Chiranjeevi.
Chiranjeevi inaugurated his party office in Jubilee Hills,Hyderabad on August 10, 2008. Speaking to the media after the inauguration, Chiranjeevi said, “I would like to extend my condolences to the families who lost their beloved ones in the incessant rains that occurred in the past 3 three days”. He also added, “ I request all my supporters to extend their help to the people who are in need. I would be announcing my party and its agenda this month. I will be answering all the questions posed by the media on that day.”
On August 17, 2008 Chiranjeevi has addressed a press conference in his party office to announce his entry into politics. He told that he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Ambedkar N.T.Rama Rao Garu Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. Chiranjeevi has announced that a public meeting will be conducted in Tirupati on Aug 26, 2008 which falls on Mother Theresa’s birthday. He told that the details of his party and future plan will be declared then.
On August 26, 2008 in the public meeting held at Avilala near Tirupati, he announced the party name as Praja Rajyam saying the Rajyam (Rule) belongs to Praja (People). He said his ambition is to empower people to rule themselves. He said he wishes to see “Santhosh’s Andhra pradesh”, which means “Happy Andhra Pradesh”. He unveiled the party flag in this meeting, which comes White and Green colours in it with a symbol of red coloured Sun in the middle.
The new political entrant in Andhra Pradesh Chiranjeevi has decided to show his body strength to his political rivals. He will set his balls rolling for his maiden political yatra from the north coastal Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh on October 10.
Andy Says:
18 August 2008 at 1:45 pm
Of all the film starts and worthy individuals available in AP right now, Chiranjeevi has the best chance to succeed in AP Politics..his credibility will help him in the race.
There is another potential winner in Dr Jayaprakash Narayan of Lok Parivartan, an NGO. the combo of Chiranjeevi and Dr Jayaprakash Narayan looks unbeatable ( on paper atleast).
But Indian politics has been the playing / preying ground for thugs, thieves, goondas, mafia and all sorts of undesirable elements. Hope people like Chiranjeevi who has good intentions + humoungous following in the state will be able to break this strangle hold.
Whoever said there is no dull moment in Indian politics..
Ram Says:
18 August 2008 at 1:45 pm
First, why do you mention the castes of Chiranjeevi and NTR. Is caste that important to be discussed?
Second, any person can have solutions to the ills of a large state. What if that person happens to be a filmstar? Should he stay back and not get into the politics?
Sandesh Says:
18 August 2008 at 2:16 pm
Of course caste should not be mentioned… However, having telugus for quite a long time, I can say very confidently that caste is of utmost importance for them… their movies run on the basis of caste and caste based politics is the only way if you want power…
jaya prakash narayan Says:
18 August 2008 at 2:29 pm
but….chiru has no strong back ground that what we observed!bcoz the members joining in that party are only those who are cunning in nature……
and other thing no matter all of BC people love GREATE LEGEND NTR,and they can’t leave TDP,
it have to remember that only some leaders leaving parties but not supporting voters!!!
Ram Says:
18 August 2008 at 3:16 pm
@Sandesh,
Its just a misconception that Caste is of utmost importance for Telugus. There is no such thing like Movies running on the basis of castes. You can see caste war in only two districts of AP not the whole of AP. And even that is between only two castes Kamma and Kapu started in 1989.
Sekhar Says:
18 August 2008 at 3:42 pm
Chiranjeevi said that Bapuji’s Grama Swarajyam in his political entry speech.
If he seriously think and act in that direction to make all the villages self suffcient and provide feccilities at the village level…take this as his election plank…why not he can do NTR.. no doubt about it.
kishore Says:
18 August 2008 at 4:12 pm
one thing i will tell , chiru will do better than the congress and TDP.
Yadhu Says:
18 August 2008 at 4:36 pm
When NTR launched Telugu desam party there was a huge vacuum in the AP state politics, with Congress changing the Chief ministers for every month and Janata Dal not able to provide a good alternate. People at that were also fed up with the policies of the Congress Govt. and miffed at the treatment of AP Congress leaders by the Congress central command. All this along with some reasons like poverty, corruption and Telugu sentiment have together worked in the favour of NTR. And also NTR had a sincere zeal raise the morale of the people of AP, he formed the TDP out of anger and emotion, the idea to form the TDP party was sincere as was the will. But if you look at present the conditions are not the same, there’s development although there is frustration, there is no political vaccum vacuum as such. The only thing that can work in the favour of Chiranjeevi’s party is the raise of corruption in the state. Other than that there is not much in chiru’s party. More over the entry of Chiru into politics and the announcement of party more over looks like a launch of a New Telugu movie, with unnecessary suspense and unwanted publicity. The press conference on 17th Aug itself looks more like a stage managed, as the jurno’s put the same mundane questions. Even the publicity of having mentally challenged children around Chiru on Independence day flag hoisting is a cheap publicity and a very bad PR. Apart from quoting (always) the quotes of famous personalities he didn’t come up with his own quote at press conference.
With all these it’s very Hard for Chiru to do what NTR has done.
More than Chiru’s party we should watch the performance and results of Loksatta.
Doosra Says:
18 August 2008 at 4:36 pm
Political instability will be the obvious result. For every MGR and NTR in politics, there has been an unsuccessful Sivaji Ganeshan (TN)and Krishna (AP). Most likely, Chiru will win some seats thanks to his caste following and become a power broker. AP will enter the coalition era (after decades of a stable two-party polity) like Karnataka and Maharashtra. There goes another progressive state. What a disaster in the making!
Manohara Sriraja Says:
18 August 2008 at 5:39 pm
Chiru will make the wonders in A.P. Political History. He will sweeps out the all the parties in forth coming elections. He will make very much more than the other parties which they have ruled the A.P. and he the man of mass people. The middle class and poor people are expecting more from him. He will make the social, political and financial justice to the S.C’s,S.T’s,B.C’s and Minorities much more than the parties ruled ever.He is going to create new history.He will breake the record of the N.T.R.
kapuKammaCastePolitics Says:
18 August 2008 at 7:29 pm
Chiranjeevi will need atleast considerable votes of Kamma caste and Reddy caste to make a sweep. He cannot win based on Kapu caste and his fans alone. Thanks to our so called ‘ Caste Politics’. Andhra Pradesh is similar to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in this regard.
Also Andhra Pradesh will enter into coalition politics for the first time in 2009 due to Chiranjeevi foray in politics. What a disaster. God save Andhra Pradesh and India.
Srikanth Says:
18 August 2008 at 7:29 pm
It is very wrong to compare NTR and “Vara Prasad”
NTR had the sincerity and conviction to start with. “Vara Prasad” doesnt seem to have an opinion of his own.
NTR never had members of his family influence decisions of party of Govt. except in case of Naidu, who was already an experienced politician, and a minister. In case of Chiranjeevi, his brothers and BIL are already playing significant role, and will continue to do so. It looks more like a family run movie business than serious politics.
There is no political vacuum like in case of NTR’s time.
But, Chiranjeevi might get some significance because of content hungry 24×7 news channels, who want to report about anything and everything.
Even if he gathers few seats, in present day political situation where coalition is such an important theory, he will play a significant role. And split verdict will be more of a reality in AP in coming election because of overcrowded political space, with Congress, TDP, BJP, TRS, Chiranjeevi’s party etc. (Not sure if Lok Satta will make any impact here)
tarlesubba Says:
18 August 2008 at 9:06 pm
i think it is good. especially when seen from KA’s experience where intra party power struggles have usually left the state short changed. in 61 years we have had 25 chief ministerial candidacies shared by 20 different characters with an average tenure of 2 years and 5 months per candidacy. even right now, counting numbers top of my head, there about 7+1 CMs in waiting.
the good thing about personality based parties is that people vote for personalities. everybody within the party is clear about it. and the public clearly knows where the buck stops. Thiruka and DD and Maya have no internal challengers. So if they develop a taste for governance even if due to hubris they can actually effect change without having to bother about internal politics.
At the same time they can also effect maximum damage. But that is what elections are for - to take care that the reign of pillaging momins is not more than 5 years.
the bad thing is that, typically, such parties are not sustainable. who after Thiruka, DD and Maaya? but given the miracles of modern medicine and ancient yoga, a tenure of 30-40 years is both a good run for the stars and good churning for the masses. after 30 years if chiranjeevi gets kicked out and say a gopichand breaks in, is it really such a bad thing?
if somebody is holding their breath in anticipation of the statesmen and gentleman politician, save your selves the agony and asphyxiation and take a deep breath and move on.
In the US, politicians spend as much as KA’s annual budget on ads and campaigns to build a personality saleable for candidacy. Why not capitalize on an image based on hundred movies that entertained?
Justfine Says:
18 August 2008 at 9:55 pm
Unfortunately all the fans of Chiranjeevi are situated either in US or in Australia.
Kadana Kuthuhala Says:
18 August 2008 at 10:21 pm
Another goddamn socialist!!
andhrawala Says:
19 August 2008 at 10:29 am
Every body from chota to bada politician always talk about upliftment of downtrodden and farmers. Yes its a good idea but uplfitment of farmers and downtrodden is a social reform. How can ” Vara Prasad” achieve this with political reform.
Will chiru and his family share is wealth inorder to reduce the equality between rich and poor.
There is a lot of difference between NTR and chiru. Chiru is a mass actor. NTR is a class actor.
What is the ideology of chirus party. If he was intersted to do service to people especially poor why didnt he come into politics earlier. Why this auspicious occasion?
Is entry into politics is a zenith in somebodys career? Looks like this has become a very prominent in Indian politics these days?
Yes Chiru might be a good person, what about his company, his brother and brother in law? Are they not waiting to take there share if he become chief minster.
Fans hungama? Why dont the fans of chiru spend some time in social activities rather than shouting and screaming in the streets. This will help our society.
Finally about the social activities of chiru like blood bank. Yes it would have helped people in need, was there any motto to start such things like tax benefits etc?
We want leaders who bring social reforms in a society but not political reforms. I am very sure that every body is eagerly waiting to take their share.
Service to people and poor can be done from any party or even without a party. why do you think leaders from other party are joining chirus party? I need not tell you the answer, its very clear, money money money.
friends nothing is going to happen overnight with a new party and new leader. Unless they stop corrupt leaders and criminals in Indian politics I am very sure that nothing is going to change.
Andhrawala
AK Says:
19 August 2008 at 12:57 pm
I asked chiru to come in politics ,
yes its true,
he is kapu, and all kapu moddalu support him,
chiranjeevi is worst person and kapu modda
ullipaya natha kapu oorine thagalestadu,
Chiru antha kapu desanne thagaklestadu..
save AP plz//
kapu gaalu rechipotaru,
are reddys and naidus, kapu gaallani modda gudipinchandi
AK Says:
19 August 2008 at 1:00 pm
kapu gadu ekkuva chestunnadu, are veedu worst gadu,
already tollywood modda gudisindi,
ippudu politics anta save AP plz,
are chiru neeku narco test cheyiste telustundi nuvvu enta vedavavo,
The general impression of public on Chiranjeevi is a mixed concoction. The people those are against Chiranjeevi generally point out the following things in majority. Chiru should know where he is lacking in maintaining his image in public.
1) Chiru expects big budget if the film is made by a producer other than his family member. .
2) All his friends (Sudhakar, Prasad Babu etc.,) are not with him, he kept them away. He is too much into his family, but not friends, he never makes friendship with people less fortunate than him.
3) He has ‘bandhu preethi’ a lot. He maybe good, but his family may not.
4) He never really entertained any of his earlier-days producers, writers or directors, like Mr Rajnikanth did. He didn’t even bless Mr Kodandarami Reddy’s son during his movie launch.
5) His blood bank collects money from people for Blood if you don’t have white card. When Chiru collects Blood for free and sell it for profit. That is not charity.
6) He is not great decision maker; look at his first daughter wedding fiasco with Uday Kiran. He changed his wording in two days.
7) He breaks into tears when pressure hits him and gets emotional.
8* His second daughter issue, well, everyone knows. He failed as a father.
9) His brother broke his wedding promises to a female; this can be highlighted and female voters may keep away from him.
10) His son made an accident with his Honda CRV, they manipulated that case and now no one knows about it. This tells Chiru is manipulative and not straight forward type.
How far Chiru can manage to be good all the while with these impressions circulating in public?
Ram Says:
20 August 2008 at 4:47 pm
@Ak
Good Research…Can you please make a list of ‘things’ that can be seen in YSR and CBN.
buz Says:
20 August 2008 at 6:09 pm
ya i think he can and guess what he has already has a son in law like cbn to take over
kevin Says:
21 August 2008 at 12:46 pm
@Ram
AK Cannot write the “list” for YSR and CBN here as wordpress will allow only 2500 characters ;-) lol..
I admit everyone will have good and bad sides.. But chiru is good by heart..
Why not give him a chance instead of giving Congress and TDP change again and again..
I like @Andy idea..
Lok Satta and Chiru Party combined will give best political party..worth
to be dying..
My 2 cents..
cm Says:
26 August 2008 at 5:34 pm
It is very auspicious talking about a party before it’s starting.Any way chiru may not be a good leader in all the scenes we had seen,like
Rajasekhar and jeevitha’s case–his fans done a misterious trouble to the couple even after chiru’s call not to do any thing.But ultimately the fans beaten rajasekhar. The one who is not possible to lead his fans–how can he lead the total andhra pradesh.
His family : first i wish to talk about his elder brother pavan kalyan..we all kn ow his disorder status.he is mental in some cases like recent indipendence day incident.He destroyed the lok satha party flag. What is that..is it good for one who is a celebrity and brother of politician of andhra.IT is not a stupidity for him..
last but not the least he has not great control over his family,how can he control the politics and andhra.
Oh god save andhra ..
madhu Says:
26 August 2008 at 5:37 pm
There is no reason to describe this incidence.I am sorry for andhra people who was going to suffer in future.
Ntr and Chiru Says:
27 August 2008 at 7:47 am
I used to have doubts on chiru how he will compete with dirty congress and TDP. Form today my thinking is changing how Congress will fight against Chiru. He is coming with very good answers. He is a very calculative and not taking fast decisions which will help him solve many issues. Now I am start thinking AP is on verge of getting new strong leader.
Sreedhar Says:
27 August 2008 at 7:53 pm
If you are referring to the landslide victory of NTR in the ’80s, then I doubt if that can happen in the present era. But I have confidence that he is going to bring at least some change to the current state of politics. Enough of YSR and CBN, lets give him a chance and see.
marmayogi Says:
30 August 2008 at 8:27 am
Prajarajyam=Prajala rajyam ie peoples state ie concept of communist party
Rajyam is for prajas that is people
Bhojyam and bhogum is for chiru and his family
If one wants praja seva only there is no need for any party. Chiru should have followed the pathway of mother theresa, ambedkar, Gandhi, Poole etc without entering politics.
Wat a joke
Oka tagore, oka Indra, Oka stalin only for celluloid screen. People enjoy in films and forget.
Look at other famous actors. Bacchhan is very happy after getting out of politics. Look Rajnikanth who as followers more than Chiru is away from Politics.
Chiru you will regret by joining politics. Indian politics is like penta ie shit. More you enter more dirty and smelly you become. Better to stay away from penta.
Reforms should start from each and every indvidual. Political party cannot change anything.
Jai chiranjeevi jai jai chiranjeevi–good if chiru had stuck to his cinema world.
rajasekhar Says:
14 September 2008 at 10:18 am
one thing i can say, chiru wil definately give good politics to us when compared to others. let us give one chance to him and see how things go.
kishore Says:
18 October 2008 at 1:03 am
Some questions i want to ask
1)I Like to ask all the people who has replied here how many have you voted since u got voter name registered ????????
2)How can any body compare NTR with Chiru, NTR is a Legend does any body in other states know that there is andhra pradesh in india before NTR. Becose of NTR v can now proudly say that v r from Andhra Pradesh.
3)And speaking of Chandrababu frankly speaking if he was not CM for 9years how many of u ppl could have got IT jobs with not less than 10k per month and going to other countries if he was not CM our AP would have been another BIHAR for sure
3)Bcos of Chandrababu in every country v have a status and pride as AP’s IT people
4)Frankly speaking abt Chandrababu, he was blamed for supporting IT industry in AP now being an IT people we are not going to support him??
5)Do u thing making somebody CM is a joke we are giving our Life our Families life’s and our economy in somebody’s hand for 5years and for that we cannot give a 1 chance some body who does not even know how many constituencies are the in AP
6)First all u people think what we are talking about we are talking about AP government for next 5years not some Movie we go and spend 100rs for supporting our hero. There are no hero’s om real life.
7)Cast is no matter in Politics its just a mask for attracting voters. How can someday vote in support of Cast, for example if u want to vote to YSR because he is reddy and u r reddy u must vote to some BC or other cast MLA first.
so first vote, and double think wht u r today then vote, dont vote some body as bcos he is ur dream hero and never compare PUAMI NAGU with NTR the LEGEND