Unlike many contemporaries, Chiranjeevi is known for his roles that the audience could relate to, and managed to carve a niche for himself.
As Chiranjeevi turns 70 this August 22, Indian cinema lovers not only celebrate the birthday of one of its most famous superstars but also the legacy of a man who redefined the meaning of stardom in Telugu films. With a career spanning over four decades, his journey has been synonymous with the evolution of Indian cinema, starting from the mass entertainers of the 1980s to the Telugu blockbusters of today.
Born as Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad in 1955, he made a modest entry into films. His early appearances in supporting roles in the late 1970s, but he only got noticed in the early 1980s with films like Khaidi (1983), thanks to his screen presence, energetic dance, and distinct dialogue delivery. Unlike many contemporaries, he did characters with relatability, often playing men with humble beginnings who rise against odds. This resonance turned him into a cultural icon of the 1980s and 1990s.
Chiranjeevi’s dancing skills certainly sets him apart from his contemporaries. While the song-and-dance routines have been central to Indian cinema, he made an effort to blend classical, folk, and Western dance forms. By the 1990s, he became one of the highest-paid actors in India. His film Gharana Mogudu (1992) was the first South Indian film to collect over ₹10 crore at the box office, and its loved track, Bangaru Kodi Petta, has been a pop culture phenomenon. He was the one to cement the pan-Indian phenomenon much before the current wave of Telugu cinema dominance.
In 2008, Chiranjeevi made a shift from cinema to politics by founding the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), which eventually merged with the Indian National Congress. Through his philanthropic endeavors, particularly through the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust (CCT), he continues to impact thousands of lives.
After a hiatus from films, he made a comeback with Khaidi No. 150 (2017), a blockbuster. Even in his sixties, he has been part of hit films like Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (2019).
To say the least, his legacy is not confined to his stardom, but he is the force behind paving the way for Telugu cinema to gain visibility. He has been an inspiration to younger actors—including his son Ram Charan, nephew Allu Arjun, and other members of the “Mega family”—to push creative boundaries.
At 70, he continues to balance superstardom with humility. For fans, colleagues, and critics alike, his birthday is a day to celebrate his resilience, reinvention, and the magic of cinema.
