HBD Chiranjeevi: Special on Chiru’s Birthday.. Do you know about the events that made him a Megastar?
Megastar Chiranjeevi's birthday is celebrated like a festival by his fans. Even celebrities extend their wishes on this occasion. However, Konidela Siva Sankara Vara Prasad, who became Megastar Chiranjeevi, did not reach the heights of fame effortlessly. He faced numerous obstacles and challenges throughout his journey, eventually earning a special place in the hearts of the audience as the Megastar. Today (August 22), on his birthday, let's look at the events and factors that elevated him to such a high status.
The Incident That Fueled Chiru’s Determination
Before entering the industry, Chiranjeevi lived in Madras with Hari Prasad and Sudhakar. They used to watch previews of movies distributed by Poornachandra Pictures and would give their ratings. On one such occasion, they sat in the front row to watch a movie. However, the hero of the movie, along with the driver and makeup man, came in and forcibly took their seats. Chiranjeevi and his team had no choice but to stand and watch the movie. When the wife of the company’s head asked, “How was the movie?” Chiru responded in anger, “Aunty, we came as your guests, but that hero made us stand by the door. We endured it because we didn’t want to cause trouble for you. If I don’t become the number one hero in this industry, you can ask me why!” True to his word, he reached that level.
From Small Roles to Hero Status
Chiranjeevi entered Tollywood in 1978. After many attempts, he got his first opportunity in the movie 'Punadi Rallu.' Interestingly, the film 'Pranam Khareedu,' in which he acted later, was released first. This film introduced him to the audience. While he was trying to establish himself as a hero, some people demanded that he play small roles in other heroes’ films. In one instance, Chiru mentioned that he acted in those roles, hoping the time would come when he could prove himself. He conveyed that despite the obstacles, one could reach their goal by staying positive.
The Reason Behind Chiru’s Mesmerizing Dance
In the early days of his career, Chiranjeevi’s dance was not exceptional. After completing a song shoot, he asked his manager how his performance was. The manager replied, “What’s there in it? You just did what the dancers behind you did. You need to show your uniqueness.” From then on, Chiru started going beyond what the choreographers instructed, captivating audiences with his extra effort. Chiranjeevi also once mentioned that film critic Gudipoodi Srihari played a role in helping him improve his acting.
From Reviewer to Padma Vibhushan
Megastar Chiranjeevi stays as far away from negativity as possible, which is why he always appears energetic. He strongly believes that listening to failure stories can lead to discouragement. He credits his immense self-confidence as the key to his success. Starting his career as a reviewer, he went on to receive the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India, for his contributions to the film industry. Notably, he had already received the Padma Bhushan before this.
Supporting Young Heroes
Megastar Chiranjeevi is always at the forefront of encouraging newcomers. No matter how busy he is, he attends events for young heroes if invited. Speaking on this once, he said, “I don’t feel proud of this. When I entered the industry, I wished someone would encourage me. Now, when small heroes come to me and invite me, I see myself in them. I pat them on the back and encourage them as much as I can.”
As the Darling Child of Art
Chiranjeevi frequently responds to the issues in the industry and the struggles of film workers, offering help to the best of his ability. When some people called him the "Big Support" of the Telugu film industry, Chiru humbly denied it, saying, “I am just the darling child of art, not something big.”
Leading in Charitable Activities
Among Telugu heroes actively participating in charitable activities, Megastar Chiranjeevi stands out. Through the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust, he has brought light into many lives and continues to extend a helping hand to those in need. In his four-decade-long acting career, he has garnered millions of fans and won several awards, including three Nandi Awards for Best Actor. Currently, he is busy with his 156th film, ‘Vishwambhara,’ directed by Vashishta, set to release on January 10 next year.