Chiranjeevi in twin cities
MEGA STAR'S MEGA RECORD IN MEGA CITY
CHIRANJEEVI'S 50 DAYS' FILMS IN HYDERABAD (main theaters)
by
Hanuman/Jamadagni and Vijay Bhaskar

"There are basically two levels to handle any unforeseen opportunity: 1. The spiritual-if God is all and you are part of that, just relax, 2. All the rest. For this you must get your act together, so that you can shift gears as required" writes David Allen in his best selling business book "Ready for Anything" subtitled "52 productivity principles for work and life". But after a low profile debut in Punaadhi Rallu (1978), Konidhela Shivashankara Prasadh took the "Zen approach" or "the middle way" to succeed in his profession. In an act of total submission to his favorite God lord Hanuman, he rechristened himself as "Chiranjeevi" and with a renewed vigor, he strove hard to become the Megastar of Telugu Cinema.

Widely acknowledged as the man who drafted a new set of rules for contemporary Telugu cinema, Megastar-"Annayya" to his fans- has acted in 140 movies till date. Though his movies generally fare well all over the state, he has an exceptional record in Hyderabad. 62 of his movies (including Shankar Dada M.B.B.S) have run for 50 days or more in their main theaters here. He also holds the record for maximum number of direct 100 days movies (32) in the capital city and he is also the only hero to have 7 direct 100's before and after the introduction of the slab system of taxation (1984) by the state government.

While these records are the result of Chiranjeevi's hard work, charm and mass appeal, Allu Aravind, his brother-in-law and svangeli, also shares the credit for his behind the scenes endeavors. As a producer, distributor and exhibitor (Aravind was a leasee of Sandhya complex for several years), he has been doing an excellent job in safeguarding Chiru's movies from unqualified terminations

With Chiru in top-form since returning from a sabbatical (1996) and with no consistent competition around, he is neatly positioned to create several more records in the coming years. But for now, here is the list of his movies that have run for 50 days or more at their main theaters in Hyderabad.

Note 1: Mana Oori Paandavulu, Thodu Dongalu, Kirayi Rowdilu and Patnam Vacchina Pathivrathalu are multi-starrers.

Note 2: Since Manjunatha is a dubbing film, this and the above mentioned multi-starrers are not included in the list.

Note 3: Shankar Dada has completed its 100 days run in Odeon 70mm and is currently running at Mini Odeon.

MEGA RECORDS IN MEGA CITY

1. Except Mega Star Chiranjeevi, no other hero in the 73 year old Telugu cinema has 32 direct 100 days' films in Hyderabad.

2. Megastar has 27 direct 100 days' films in RTC Cross roads, Hyderabad, a record perse.

3. Saving Chiru, no other hero in the field-past or present- has 20 direct 100 days' films on title role (eg Rakshashudu, Adavi Donga etc) in the metropolis.

4. Supreme hero Chiranjeevi is the only hero to have 5 100 days' films at Sandhya 70 mm, Sudarsan 70 mm, and Sudarsan 35 mm.

5. Megastar has raised the high water mark for other heroes by having 13 100 days' films in Sudarsan complex- Sudarsan 70 mm, Sudarsan 35 mm, Devi 70 mm in the capital.

6. Mega star is the only hero to have 2 100 days' films in 1981, 3 100 days' films in 1982, 3 100 days' films in 1988 and 1990, 2 100 days' films in the years 1991 and 1999.

7. While no other hero has 5 direct 100's before and after the slab system was introduced, Mega star has 7 100 days' movies before and after the introduction of this new tax system. This will remain as an unbeatable record.

8. Except Chiru, no other hero has 2 100 days' films on title role before slab and after slab. More importantly, Chiru achieved this distinction twice:

Before slab, 1983-Khaidi and Maga Maharaju
After slab, 1988-Yamidiki Mogudu and Khaidi No. 786.

9. In the 41-year history of Telugu color cinema, no other hero has 46 50 days' color films in the capital. But Megastar has 57 direct 50 days films to his credit.

10. Only mega star has 4 50 days' films and 5 48 days' films in the year 1983, 3 50 days' films in the year 1984, 5 50 days' films and 6 49 days' films in the year 1988, 3 50 days' films in the year 1995.

11. Mega star is the only hero to have 2 100 days' films in a single year in three different years both before after the introduction of slab system. None of the others has this kind of record even in a single year. [Before slab, 1981, 1982, and 1983. After slab, 1988, 1990, and 1991.

12. Megastar's films hold the theater record for maximum run in the following theaters:

Sagar - 70 days -Sri Ramabantu (theater record for color films),
Subash -112 days -Maga Maharaju,
Kishore-Nyayam Kaavali-105 days (record for a Telugu film),
Sapthagiri 70 mm-106 days-Tagore.

13. Megastar is the only hero to have

11 50 days films at Sandhya 70 mm.
11 50 days films at Sudarsan 70 mm.
9 50 days films at Subash Theater.

14. Mega star's Sri Rama Bantu is the first film to be screened in two main theaters for 34 days (regular shows) in Hyderabad- Sagar-70 days and Subash-34 days.

Checkout Superstar Krishna's records by Twin Cities (by the same authors)

You can reach authors at [email protected].